A Royal Pain
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What Bogdan Bogdanovic’s return means for Sacramento Kings rotation

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 7: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 7, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 7: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 7, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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When Bogdan Bogdanovic made his season debut for the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night against the Raptors, he brought with him both stability and uncertainty.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was arguably the best player on the Sacramento Kings last season, had a minor arthroscopic knee surgery in late September and missed the first 10 games of the season. In his return he mustered just seven points, albeit in limited minutes. He did, however, provide a much-needed spark to the rest of the starting lineup when he first checked in midway through the first quarter, scoring a quick five points in under two minutes.

So what’s the problem?

It was certainly a breath of fresh air to see this surprising Sacramento Kings team at full strength for the first time this season, but the issue of having too many bodies still remains. The logjam of big-men up front has pushed both Harry Giles and Skal Labissiere out of the regular rotation. Ben McLemore has played just 24 total minutes thus far, and nobody has any idea where Zach Randolph is.

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The question also remains of where Bogdanovic himself will fit in to what has been a semi-successful rotation thus far. Does coach Dave Joerger insert him into the starting lineup immediately, slightly out of position to fill the sizable hole at small forward? Or does he bring Bogdanovic off the bench to stabilize what has been a shaky second unit? Or does he send Buddy Hield, who leads the team in scoring, to the bench instead?

There is also the unexpected solid play of Troy Williams that could complicate things. He has been productive in limited minutes, and Joerger alluded to that fact in his post game presser on Wednesday.

"“He comes in and gives us some pop,” he said of Williams, “both defensively and offensively. Gets a couple dunks, gets a couple cuts, and you notice him that way.”"

Williams completes the current unit of small forwards along with Iman Shumpert and Justin Jackson, a unit in desperate need of an upgrade. Can shifting Bogdanovic from his natural position as a shooting guard fix that? Or will Joerger be forced to keep playing Shumpert and Jackson in big roles?

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The Sacramento Kings play host to a dysfunctional and struggling Timberwolves team on Friday. The Wolves have a pair of strong wing players in Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins, but also have a second unit that struggles. Plenty of eyes will be on Joerger and how he decides to distribute minutes against a potentially explosive team.

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