The Sacramento Kings are two games behind the Western Conference’s eighth seed. Their expectations, after a solid season last year and an offseason spending spree, were set higher. Their core is still promising, noted by rising star Bogdan Bogdanovic being due a contract extension. Although the Kings are capable of extending the Serbian native, Bogdanovic has the talent to be a meaningful starter, so he might seek to go elsewhere. He’s averaging a strong 14.5 points and 3.5 assists per game. If this is the case, the Kings would be wise to get something from him off the trade market instead of losing him for nothing over the summer.
Two Bogdan Bogdanovic Trade Ideas
Trade One: Bogdanovic Forms a European Big Three in Dallas
The trade: The Dallas Mavericks receive Bogdanovic and the Kings receive Jalen Brunson, Dwight Powell, and a second-round pick.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic and Bogdanovic can always be seen chatting and joking around when their two respective teams play each other. This doesn’t mean anything concrete, but one can assume they have a healthy relationship with each other.
Bogdanovic will instantly challenge Tim Hardaway to become the starting shooting guard. His offensive flair and smooth shooting would form one of the league’s scariest backcourts. If Bogdanovic is already scoring nearly 15 off the bench, he should blossom offensively with Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The Mavericks are a legitimate playoff team, but this could be a move that would elevate them into Finals contending status.
The Kings would receive a promising young guard in Brunson and more frontcourt help in Powell.
Brunson can play both guard positions and had strong numbers as a starter while Doncic was injured for Dallas. He won’t replace De’Aaron Fox or Buddy Hield, but Brunson projects as a great sixth man in the future.
Powell would ease the mess that is the Dewayne Dedmon acquisition for the Kings. After asking for a trade, it’s likely he’ll be offloaded. Powell is a solid rim-runner and pick-and-roll threat, while he’s shown in the past that he has shooting range. Richaun Holmes has been great, but the Kings would have solid center depth with him and Powell.
Trade Two: New York
The trade: The New York Knicks receive Bogdanovic and Cory Joseph for Taj Gibson, Dennis Smith, and Allonzo Trier.
In this trade, the Knicks let go of some players that have shown a desire to leave, while allowing Bogdanovic to come in and start immediately. RJ Barrett can still develop as an elite scorer with Bogdanovic becoming a primary ball-handler. This won’t elevate the Knicks this season but would make them a more attractive free-agent destination for younger players looking to build something.
The Joseph contract is not great, but a sacrifice the Knicks should take in. He won’t be a game-changer, but he can definitely play 10 to 15 minutes per game. He’s a decent contributor, or the Knicks can look to offload him separately.
The Kings will get two young players in exchange for one. Smith showed great potential in Dallas but has stalled in New York. Playing alongside a young core in Sacramento may rejuvenate him. He can become a great back up behind Fox. Trier, on the other hand, had some strong scoring showings last season. He too can instantly become a backup, but for Hield. Lastly, Gibson provides veteran leadership and frontcourt depth. As mentioned before, the Kings and Dedmon have a soured relationship, and they are in need of help at the position.
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