Sacramento Kings: 5 Story Lines To Follow Down The Stretch

#1. Buddy Hield/Bogdan Bogdanovic Situation

Arguably the most interesting story line for the remainder of the season will be the shooting guard situation with Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Many of the rumors around the trade deadline surrounded Bogdanovic, but there is a possibility that Hield will be the odd man out this summer.

Bogdanovic took Hield’s spot in the starting lineup on January 24th and the Kings went 6-2 over their next 8 games. The numbers for both players improved as their roles changed, furthering the dilemma that the Sacramento front office will face in the off season.

Hield will be finished with the first year of a four-year deal that pays him more than $26 million next season, more than a quarter of the Kings’ entire payroll. Bogdanovic is a restricted free agent who will likely receive lucrative offers on a thin market should he continue his solid play and stay healthy. Sacramento could theoretically afford to keep both, but paying out $40-$50 million to one position will certainly hamper any future financial dealings for the team.

There have also been recent reports that Hield is not thrilled with his bench role and is often at odds with Luke Walton. There could be a chance that he requests a trade after the completion of the season, which would certainly make the Kings’ decision an easier one to make.