What Happened to Marvin Bagley III?
Marvin Bagley III is an American professional basketball player currently playing as a power forward for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Drafted second overall in 2018 by the Sacramento Kings, his career has been marked by multiple team changes and injury struggles, but he has shown signs of a resurgence, particularly during the 2025-26 season with the Washington Wizards and now the Mavericks. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Quick Answer
Marvin Bagley III is currently a power forward for the Dallas Mavericks, having been traded to the team on February 5, 2026, in a three-team deal. He is playing on a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season, which he initially signed with the Washington Wizards, and is expected to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason. Despite a career marked by injuries and trades since being drafted second overall in 2018, Bagley has shown improved performance in the 2025-26 season, averaging 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds with the Wizards and making a strong impact with the Mavericks.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Tempe, Arizona
Marvin Bagley III was born in Tempe, Arizona.
Enrolls at Duke University
Marvin Bagley III enrolled at Duke Blue Devils, reclassifying to join the 2017-18 season.
Consensus First-Team All-American
Bagley earned Consensus First-Team All-American honors, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Rookie of the Year during his single season at Duke.
Drafted 2nd Overall by Sacramento Kings
Marvin Bagley III was selected as the second overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.
Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team
After his debut season, Bagley was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Traded to Detroit Pistons
Bagley was traded to the Detroit Pistons as part of a four-team trade.
Re-signs with Detroit Pistons
Bagley re-signed with the Pistons on a three-year, $37.5 million contract.
Returns from Hand Injury
After missing over a month with a hand injury, Bagley scored 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a game against the Toronto Raptors.
Traded to Washington Wizards
Bagley was traded to the Washington Wizards along with Isaiah Livers and future draft considerations.
Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
Bagley was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade.
Signs One-Year Deal to Return to Washington Wizards
Bagley signed a one-year deal to return to the Washington Wizards for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Traded to Dallas Mavericks
Bagley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade involving the Charlotte Hornets.
Mavericks Debut with Double-Double
In his debut with the Mavericks, Bagley recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks against the San Antonio Spurs.
Listed as Probable for Game vs. Clippers
Bagley (shoulder) was listed as probable for the Mavericks' game against the Clippers, indicating his availability and active status with the team.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Marvin Bagley III's professional basketball journey began with high expectations after being selected as the second overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2018 NBA Draft, following a standout collegiate career at Duke where he was a Consensus All-American and ACC Player of the Year. His rookie season showed promise, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2019.
However, his tenure with the Kings was largely hampered by a series of injuries, including a fractured right thumb, sprained left knee, and various foot and back issues, which limited his availability and consistency. This led to a perception that he struggled to live up to his high draft status, especially when compared to Luka Doncic, who was drafted immediately after him.
Bagley was traded from the Kings to the Detroit Pistons in a four-team deal on February 10, 2022. He re-signed with the Pistons on a three-year, $37.5 million contract in July 2022. While in Detroit, he continued to battle injuries, including a fractured left hand in early 2023.
His career then saw more movement. On January 14, 2024, he was traded to the Washington Wizards. After a brief stint, he was traded again to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 trade deadline. Interestingly, he signed a one-year deal to return to the Washington Wizards on July 11, 2025, for the 2025-26 season.
The 2025-26 season has seen a notable resurgence for Bagley. While with the Wizards, he averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 38 appearances. On February 5, 2026, Bagley was part of a significant three-team trade, moving from the Washington Wizards to the Dallas Mavericks. He made an immediate impact in his Mavericks debut on February 7, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. As of April 8, 2026, Bagley is contributing to the Mavericks, averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds for the 2025-26 season across both teams. He is currently listed as probable for an April 7th game against the Clippers due to a shoulder issue, indicating he is actively playing. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, and his recent performance could lead to a new contract, potentially with the Mavericks or another team, as Dallas does not hold his Bird rights.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Marvin Bagley III made different choices?