Mavericks unexpectedly trade for player Kings thought would be better than Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks landed Marvin Bagley III as part of the trade package for Anthony Davis. Bagley shockingly went second overall to the Sacramento Kings in the 2018 NBA Draft, which was one spot ahead of former Mavs superstar Luka Doncic. Number 77 is clearly battling reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for best player in that draft class, but Sacramento clearly thought Bagley had the better future. 

The 6’10 big man lasted just three and a half seasons with the Kings before being traded to the Pistons for a minimal return. He has since bounced to Memphis and D.C., before arriving in Dallas. Bagley has had a bit of a resurgence this season as a backup big man, but he is far from the star experts thought he'd become. 

Drafting Bagley over Luka was a stunning decision in the moment. Doncic was the reigning EuroLeague MVP. Bagley was a double-double machine at Duke, but taking a big man with questionable rim protection is always a gamble. The Kings struck out as they have so many times over the past two decades, and it opened the door for Dallas to trade up for Doncic. 

Mavericks trade for Marvin Bagley III years after he was drafted in front of Luka

The 2018 draft class is looking elite. There are five All-Stars and several quality role players in the group, but it is also becoming known for the trades. Nearly every player taken has been dealt at some point, including Luka, Trae Young, and Jaren Jackson Jr., since the 2025 deadline. 

Deandre Ayton, who is now Luka’s teammate in Los Angeles, went first overall. Bagley was second, followed by three All-Stars in Doncic, JJJ, and Ice Trae. Mavs fans will remember Luka and Young were traded for each other on draft night, with Doncic wearing a Hawks hat on stage. 

It was clear after just a few weeks that Luka would be better than Ayton or Bagley. He immediately stood out in the NBA. He was an All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection in year two. He now has six All-Star appearances and five first-team All-NBAs to his name. Mavericks fans still can’t believe the franchise shockingly traded him, and it got weirder that Bagley was part of the return for the key piece of the Doncic deal. 

Mavericks fans should not expect much from Bagley. He averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 19.2 minutes per game this season on the rebuilding Wizards.

Dallas has no plans of contending after this trade. They hope to move up in the lottery and get Cooper Flagg a long-term co-star to build around. Bagley’s defensive woes will force them to lose games if he sticks with the franchise.

The Dallas Mavericks surprisingly traded for Marvin Bagley III as part of the Anthony Davis return. Nobody thought AD would wind up in the nation’s capital to play with Trae Young. There are Luka connections all over. The Mavs now have one of two players drafted over their former star in 2018. Don’t expect much from Bagley, but it is sure a strange coincidence.