NBA Trade Rumors: 6 players (and one team) that will dictate deadline day
By Jacob Gries
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Bogdan Bogdanovic’s status as a restricted free agent may motivate the Kings to investigate his market. Coach Luke Walton recently inserted him into the starting lineup and seeing as he’s an essential part of their success, this would mostly be a financial move. The Kings just locked up Buddy Hield to a four-year, $94M contract this summer and the De’Aaron Fox mega-extension is on the way.
It’s unclear if the Kings are comfortable committing so much money to three guys who may not be able to share the court. The offensive fit with these three is sublime, with Hield capable of serving as an elite floor spacer, while Bogdanovic can soak up some of the playmaking and ball handling on the possessions that Fox doesn’t use, while also shooting it at an extremely high level.
Defensively, it’s a little messier. Hield and Bogdanovic don’t really project as defensive stoppers, making it tougher to rely on this combination at the end of games, and especially in the playoffs, should the Kings ever return.
It’s a tough decision to make, but one that might be made a little easier considering their current and future financial commitments. Much like Gallinari, Bogdanovic can help just about any team. He could fix what ails the Sixers by injecting some much-needed shooting and ball-handling into their prehistoric lineup, but I doubt the Kings would go for anything less than Thybulle. The Lakers would certainly be interested (Kyle Kuzma, anyone?) but probably don’t have the assets to get anything done.
I like his fit in Dallas as a secondary playmaker, capable of both playing off Luka Doncic and controlling the second unit, but is there enough there for the Kings to really consider moving off one of their young, promising pieces? The Mavs could offer up Courtney Lee’s expiring deal along with one of Delon Wright or Dorian Finney-Smith, two defensive-minded role players who can handle some of the tougher night-to-night defensive assignments in the league, for Bogdanovic and Cory Joseph. (Joseph’s deal will probably become a negative asset sooner than later if it isn’t already). Throw in a second-rounder or two and they just might have enough.
No one really knows what the Kings will do, including, at times, Vlade Divac, making this one of the most unpredictable situations as we approach the deadline.