Marvin Bagley III might be new to the Detroit Pistons, but he is not the first in his family to put on the uniform. Heck, he is not even the first No. 2 overall draft pick to play for Detroit.
While Marvin Bagley III is just starting with the Pistons, he is now part of a family tradition.
His grandfather, Joe Caldwell, was drafted by Detroit in 1964. And just like Bagley in 2018, Caldwell was the No. 2 pick in the draft.
54 years after Joe Caldwell went #2 overall and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, his grandson Marvin Bagley III goes #2 overall and makes the NBA All-Rookie First Team. pic.twitter.com/AxHygO2BFW
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) May 21, 2019
Following his first day of practice at the Henry Ford Performance Center, Bagley talked about following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
"“It’s crazy how it comes back around,” Bagley said, according to NBA.com. “I’m excited to be here and be able to have something in common with him. When I’m at the dinner table talking to him, we can share Detroit stories.”"
Bagley was part of a four-team trade than sent him to his grandfather’s old team, with the Pistons giving up Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles and two future second-round draft picks to get him.
The Kings passed on Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young (who went in the following three picks) to take the 6-foot-11 forward/center out of Duke.
It has been rehashed a bunch of times, but, basically, Bagley never found his footing in Sacramento. He is very much looking forward to playing the rest of the season with the Pistons.
"“I’m excited,” Bagley said to NBA.com. “It’s a new start. We’ve got a lot of young guys on this team. They play hard every night. That’s something that caught my attention and I’m super excited about finally being a part of it. I can’t wait to get this thing rolling.”"
Detroit hopes Bagley follows his grandfather’s path, as a player who had his best seasons later in his career.
Known as ‘Pogo Joe’ due to his great leaping ability, Caldwell helped the United States win the gold medal at the 1964 Olympics. A 6-foot-5 forward, Caldwell made first team All-Rookie with Detroit (as would his grandson with Sacramento).
Of course, being the Pistons, having a promising, young player meant they had to get rid of him. Caldwell was traded early in his second season to the Hawks for journeyman point guard John Barnhill, who left Detroit for the Bullets the following year.
Caldwell was 27 when he made the first of four All-Star games in 1969. He ended up playing 11 years combined in the NBA/ABA and finished with a 16.1 points average.
Like his grandson, Caldwell had some differences with management on how he was handled, although Bagley’s never went to court. Caldwell ended up suing owners for money he said was promised.
Caldwell did not really get a chance to shine with the Pistons, due to his brief time with the club. Maybe his grandson can pick up the family legacy, and finish what his grandfather started in Detroit.