With the 2018-19 NBA season primed to feature a plethora of former Blue Devils making their much-anticipated transition from the brotherhood to the league, the Blue Zone will take a brief look at each rookie’s preseason performance.
Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings
The number two overall pick tallied a total of 78 points in six preseason games, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game, highlighted by a 19 point-10 rebound performance against the Lakers Oct. 4. Bagley’s play answered questions regarding his production on the offensive end but his efficiency in doing so will have to improve. Bagley finished the preseason shooting 44.8 percent from the field and only 12.5 percent from behind the arc. On the defensive end, Bagley still has much to prove averaging less than a block per game.
Grade: B+
Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls
After a phenomenal Las Vegas Summer League in which the big man averaged 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting a cool 55.1 percent from the field, Carter took a step back, understandably, against superior competition in the preseason. Despite returning to earth, Carter put up respectable numbers collecting 5.6 rebounds per game and posting two double digit scoring games. Carter, however, struggled to protect the rim, totaling only two blocks in five games compared to averaging 2.6 blocks per game in the Summer League.
Grade: B-
Frank Jackson, New Orleans Pelicans
After missing the entirety of the 2017-18 NBA season with a foot injury, Jackson finally got his first taste of NBA competition playing a total of five games in the NBA Preseason. Frank got off to a fast start in his first game with the Pelicans, scoring 16 points and shooting an impressive 4-8 from beyond the arc against the Bulls, but was largely held in check for the rest of the preseason, scoring 28 points in the final four games. The primary question looming over Jackson’s future is whether he can make plays for his teammates, an integral part of an NBA point guard’s job description. After averaging only 1.7 assists per game in college, Jackson dished out a total of three assists in 70 minutes of action.
Grade: C+
Harry Giles, Sacramento Kings
There are few if any more intriguing rookies to watch than Jackson’s former teammate Harry Giles who also missed the 2017-18 season due to injury. After a frustrating freshman season at Duke, in which ESPN’s #1 overall prospect was bothered by knee problems, averaging only 3.9 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game, Giles was selected 20th in the NBA draft solely based off raw potential. If the preseason was any indication of his health and potential in the regular season, then the Kings’ first round gamble looks primed to pay off. Giles averaged a sharp 13.3 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game, but most importantly, logged 22 minutes per game seamlessly.
Grade: A
Gary Trent Jr., Portland Trail Blazers
Trent played only three games and a total of 36 minutes of preseason action giving us a small sample size to evaluate, perhaps indicating the limited role he will play for the Trail Blazers in his rookie season. Trent failed to make the most of his limited action hitting only four of 19 shots and grabbing only one rebound. Given his size and shooting ability, Trent surely has the potential to leave his mark on the league, but fans are best to be patient as it will likely take time.
Grade: D
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