A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings: Three Things To Watch For In Training Camp

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 12: Buddy Hield #24, Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 and De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings face the Charlotte Hornets on January 12, 2019 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 12: Buddy Hield #24, Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 and De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings face the Charlotte Hornets on January 12, 2019 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Bogdan Bogdanovic (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Rise Of Bogdan Bogdanovic

There is no one who is nipping at the heels of Bogdan Bogdanovic for his playing time. In fact, it might be Bogdanovic himself who will be doing the nipping.

Following his outstanding performance in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Bogdanovic has begun to garner respect from national media outlets. He was recently ranked number 74 on ESPN’s Top 100 Players list, a rating that some might consider generous given his troubles last season.

Bogdanovic’s ascension in both skill and reputation will undoubtedly put pressure on Harrison Barnes and his spot in the starting lineup. Barnes is thought to be the starter, especially after his $85 million payday this offseason. But if Bogdanovic is able to either replicate or come close to the level of play he displayed in the FIBA World Cup, Barnes could have his work cut out for him during training camp.

If Bogdanovic continues to come off of the bench, he would be the undisputed leader of a second unit that is suddenly deep and talented. One of the knocks on Sacramento last season was the drop off in talent between their first and second units. They addressed that issue this offseason by signing guys like Cory Joseph and Trevor Ariza to bolster their bench, but it will be up to Bogdanovic to carry the Kings when the starters need a breather.

Barnes seems to be the only King in danger of losing his starting spot, though we’re not quite sure how real that danger is. What is certain is that Bogdanovic and Barnes have logged the most travel miles of any Kings players this summer and may end up relying on one another for rests and relief.

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