Former 2nd Overall Draft Pick Bust Finds Home with Wizards

He was once the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. But seven years and four teams later, Marvin Bagley III is a journeyman, who has landed back with the Washington Wizards, for his second stint with the team.

Free agent Marvin Bagley III has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN. Bagley returns to the Wizards after playing in Washington for a year (2024-25) and then being traded to Memphis at the February deadline. pic.twitter.com/AkBE7745Uc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2025

It's a one-year deal, no word yet on the details.

The 6'10" big man brings athleticism back to the Wizards' frontcourt, where he had a decent run in 24 games with them at the end of the 2023-24 season, averaging 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds while starting 15 games and averaging 24 minutes a night.

But last season saw Bagley get off to a slow start in D.C., playing just 8.7 minutes a game in 19 contests, and scoring just 4.9 points before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He'll likely get a bigger role back this season with Washington.

Bagley is a nice fit for now to fill the team’s void in the big man department, as he was reportedly well-liked by coaches and teammates.

He's averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds in 289 NBA games over seven seasons, but he'll best be known as a 2nd-overall draft pick bust, as the players taken after him in the 2018 Draft included Luka Dončić, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, Mikal Bridges and reigning MVP and NBA champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.