Player #2: Bogdan Bogdanovic
This might receive some hate, but Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s role with the Kings is not completely safe. In terms of the players that I believe the Kings are building around, that group consists of Marvin Bagley III, De’Aaron Fox, and Buddy Hield right now.
The reason why I leave Bogdan off the list is due to the salary cap. Right now, it seems pretty concrete that if the Kings want to build around Bagley, Fox, and Hield, that at least Bagely and Fox will be getting the max contract once their rookie deals expire. And maybe Hield will receive the same as well.
The Kings are looking smooth with the way they have managed their money so far, but there will become a time where they will have to pay their young talents to lucrative deals to remain with the team. The idea of trading Bogdan does not come from him not being good enough to be a core piece, but rather is there enough in the wallet for Sacramento to keep him around?
As I said, I think keeping Bagley, Fox, and Hield are the main priorities for Sacramento, which unfortunately leaves Bogdan as the odd man out. So with that said, the Kings could look to gain something before Bogdan’s contract ends by trading him for assets in return.
If the Kings do take this direction, however, they will probably be the losing team in the deal.