Kings choose Buddy over Bogi...or did they?

Update: The sign-and-trade between the Kings and Bucks is on hold as Bogi is apparently refusing to accept the deal and will enter restricted free agency on Friday. More details to come…

New general manager Monte McNair Has now signaled the direction he intends to take the Sacramento Kings, and it looks like we may see more speed and threes coming our way.

Late Monday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Sacramento Kings have reached a sign-and trade agreement that would send Bogdan Bogdanovic and Justin James to the Milwaukee Bucks for Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson, and Ersan Ilyasova.

The deal essentially closes the door on all those Buddy Hield trade talks as the outspoken sharpshooter is now expected to move back into the starting lineup alongside point guard De’Aaron Fox and be a primary offensive focus for the team once again.

Bogdanovic leaves Sacramento after 3 solid seasons with the Kings, averaging 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. His cool demeaner and clutch scoring will be dearly missed. However, he made no secret of his desire to win in the NBA and now he will have that chance on a loaded Bucks team.

Bogi was likely one of Sacramento’s smartest players on the court. Being able to see the floor very well and make the right decisions at the right time. His ability to play three positions made him invaluable to the Kings, but his lack of defense, redundancy at the shooting guard position, and the expected high price to keep him, made him ultimately expendable.

Justin James was coming off a rookie campaign where he split time between the parent club and the Stockton Kings of the G-League. The athletic 6-7 swingman showed real promise on the defensive end and could have likely grown into his offense, but he will now have that opportunity on a rather thin Milwaukee bench that will need him more than the Kings.

Donte DiVincenzo is the prize return for Sacramento. The 6-4 shooting guard is known for his perimeter defense and ability to play in an up-tempo offense. In his first two seasons in the NBA, the two-time NCAA champ averaged 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0assists. He doesn’t have much of a long-range game yet but is effective in the paint.

Paired up with backup point guard Corey Joseph, DiVincenzo could give Sacramento a real lockdown backcourt defense when needed. He is only entering the third year of his rookie deal, so the Kings have salary cap control on him for several more seasons as well.

Power forward DJ Wilson returns to Sacramento where he played at Capital Christion High School. The 6-10 power forward was used sparingly in Milwaukee during the 2019-20 season but could get a chance to revitalize his career back in his hometown.

Ersan Ilyasova, 33, has a team option worth $7 million which has to be picked up in order to complete this trade. He is yet another 6-10 power forward that will just increase the Kings' logjam at that position.