Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has been involved in trade rumors with the Los Angeles Lakers since February. The rumors have died down since, primarily because Kyle Kuzma's fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis seemed flawless. But given Bogdanovic's string of good performances in the bubble, the Lakers just might re-entertain the thought of acquiring the Serbian shooter.
Bogdanovic will become a restricted free agent this season. Looking at the Kings' previous behavior in relation to trade rumors, they have remained firm in keeping the Serbian. As such, in the event that Bogdanovic receives a lucrative contract from other teams, it is highly expected that the Kings will match that offer sheet.
But at the same time, the Kings are entering a critical point in their rebuilding process. After failing to qualify for the playoffs and the subsequent resignations of key front-office executives, it won't be a surprise if a roster overhaul follows. And whether or not Bogdanovic is part of their future plans, there's no denying how much value he has. The Kings simply cannot let him walk away for nothing in return. As such, a sign-and-trade is a possible option. This is where other teams, especially the Lakers, can enter the fold and assemble a trade package for Bogdanovic.
Bogdanovic averaged 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in the regular season. He shot 44.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from distance. He's had a few big games here and there — which were enough to put him in the trade radar. Apart from the Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers also expressed interest, with hopes of solidifying their roster en route to a deeper playoff run. The Charlotte Hornets, too, saw great value in Bogdanovic. His youth and considerable talent seem a perfect fit for the rebuilding squad.
The Kings reportedly declined offers from the aforementioned teams. During that time, the Kings were looking for a playoff push and they needed the Serbian's services. Since to qualify for the postseason means that they are heading in the right direction. The roster just needs several tweaks to make it work. In their quest for playoff contention, particularly in the bubble, Bogdanovic put on a series of productive games that are nothing short of impressive.
This included a career-high 35 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He shot an efficient 65 percent from the field, 6-of-9 from deep, and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. There's no denying of Bogdanovic's inconsistencies, such as his 3-point output in their overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. But when the Kings faced the Lakers, the 27-year-old Serbian showcased right in front of the Lakers what he's capable of. In the Kings' 136-122 win over the Purple and Gold, Bogdanovic dropped 27 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. He shot 47.8 percent from the field and drained five 3-pointers on 45.5 percent.
His performance that night and in the entire bubble may have led to several whispers and favorable comparisons to Kyle Kuzma. After all, Kuzma's consistency has always been questioned by Lakers die-hards. There are some nights where he's extremely productive. But there are also games where he just disappears. And if the Lakers want to win multiple titles before LeBron James retires, a consistent role player is what they need. The stats speak for themselves. Bogdanovic is simply the better offensive player than Kuzma. Bogdanovic belongs in the same ilk as the great shooters in James' championship teams. This is an imperative point especially at this point in James' career. From the looks of it, he's looking to dish out the ball more than ever.
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