A Royal Pain
Fansided

Were Kings right to prioritize Buddy Hield extension over Bogdanovic?

By Rafe Wong

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Buddy Hield #24 and Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the World team pose for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Buddy Hield #24 and Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the World team pose for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings have locked their sharpshooter in Buddy Hield for the long haul. But did they make the mistake of leaving Bogdan Bogdanovic’s status up in the air?

After enduring a week of uncertainty, the Sacramento Kings are in good shape just before their 2019-20 campaign begins.

Questions arose in the air on whether Buddy Hield would sign his contract extension before the deadline, and as we know, he did which means he will remain a King for four more years after his rookie deal expires. But even though the Kings now have their shooting guard for the future, there was another player that could have signed an extension as well.

That player is Bogdan Bogdanovic who started playing with the Kings during the 2017-18 season. Since being a member of the purple and white, Bogi has been nothing short of solid for the team. Whether it is him beginning games with the starting lineup or coming off the bench, he has been an asset for the Kings due to his versatile skill set.

In the 148 games he has played with Sacramento, he is averaging around 13 points, three rebounds, and four assists a game and shot around 43% from the floor, 38% from the three-point line, and 83% from the free-throw stripe.

There is no doubt that Bogi has been a significant cog in the Kings’ system, which is why they offered him a four-year extension worth a total of around $52 million. But even though an offer was made, the Kings invested most of their time on making sure they had Buddy secured for the future?

Did the Kings make a mistake?

Right To Focus On Buddy

The answer is no. Yes, Bogdan is a valuable asset for the Kings now and possibly for the future, but right now, the Kings needed to make sure Buddy would remain a King for the long haul. Currently, I view the Kings as having three core players amongst their youngsters. Those guys are De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, and Buddy Hield.

All of them can make an All-Star one day and become a trio that could lead the Kings to a championship, which is why they should be the priority in terms of keeping them on board and happy. Although Bogi is a great player, I see a lesser role for him if he continues his career in Sacramento.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it would be great if the Kings do keep Bogi for the long haul, but they needed to make sure their starting sharpshooter was financially locked in first.

The Kings still have the chance to lock Bogi in for the next couple of years, but now that we know how Buddy’s contract affects the team’s salary cap, it will be difficult for the Kings to pull it off.

Next. Details On Buddy Hield's Extension. dark

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