The NBA has opened an investigation into the foiled sign-and-trade deal between the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks that would have sent Bogdan Bogdanovic to Milwaukee, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The NBA has opened an investigation of the reported transaction involving Milwaukee and Sacramento that was to send Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Bucks via sign-and-trade after Friday's scheduled start of free agency, @NYTSports has learned
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 20, 2020
Late Monday night, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Bogdanovic had agreed to forego restricted free agency and sign with the Bucks after a trade that would have also sent Justin James to Milwaukee in exchange for Donte DiVincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Wilson.
However, the deal fell through as reports surfaced that Bogdanovic had never agreed to the move. According to The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, “there was never a deal” in place.
It's unclear exactly what was or wasn't communicated amongst the Kings, Bucks, and Bogdanovic, but sources out of Milwaukee evidently spilled the tea a bit prematurely. Either way, the miscommunication has led to a souring of the relationship between Bogdanovic and the Bucks, likely prompting the talented Serbian wing to look elsewhere when he hits free agency on Friday.
The Kings and Milwaukee Bucks had hoped to bring Bogdanovic the framework of a sign-and-trade to negotiate a Bodanovic contract with Milwaukee on Friday, but he will move into the marketplace to find an offer sheet or seek out other sign-and-trade scenarios, sources said. https://t.co/KDlBiLcaBs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
Bogdanovic turned down a four-year, $51.4 million extension from the Kings prior to the 2019-20 season.
On Thursday, Ilysova was waived by Milwaukee, likely signaling a nail in the coffin on the swap.
The collapsed deal is a major blow to the Bucks. Hours after acquiring Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans for a massive package of assets, the Bucks seemed to land Bogdanovic for an exceedingly reasonable price. The Bucks were hoping that the addition another skilled and versatile play-maker would persuade Giannis Antetokounmp to sign a five-year supermax extension before the Dec. 21 deadline.
Bogdanovic, 28, averaged 15.1 points per game on 37.2 percent 3-point shooting for Sacramento last season.
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