Bogdan Bogdanovic has shown a variety of skills since entering the NBA in 2018.
The Milwaukee Bucks are bolstering their lineup for a fresh run at the 2021 NBA title after a string of reported moves early Tuesday.
Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic will be heading to the Bucks via a sign-and-trade deal that was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. In the deal, the Bucks will send Donte Divincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova and DJ Wilson off to Sacramento for Bogdanovic and Justin James.
The reported sign-and-trade deal cannot be consummated until Sunday at 12:01 p.m. ET, when free-agent signings will be permitted.
Kings will also send Justin James to the Bucks in the deal, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Latest for the JS: Big swings: The Bucks have made two blockbuster deals with the Pelicans and Kings https://t.co/DYviBV2yd8 via @journalsentinel
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) November 17, 2020
Last season, Bogdanovic averaged 15.1 points while shooting 37.2% from 3-point range while also adding 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He became a starter for the Kings in January, supplanting Buddy Hield. James, a 6-foot-7 guard who is entering his second NBA season, averaged 2.5 ppg in 36 games.
The Bucks’ move to add Bogdanovic came roughly an hour after a reported trade with New Orleans netted Milwaukee former All-Star and All-Defensive point guard Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans. With this pair of reported moves, the Bucks would have a starting lineup for opening night of the 2020-21 season that would feature Holiday and Bogdanovic in the backcourt, with All-Star Khris Middleton, center Brook Lopez and two-time defending Kia MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt.
Per The Sacramento Bee, Bogdanovic turned down a $51.4 million extension before the 2019-20 season, which was offered after the Kings gave lucrative contracts to Hield and Harrison Barnes last offseason. The Kings overhauled their front office in the offseason, with new general manager Monte McNair taking over after GM Vlade Divac and assistant GM Peja Stojakovic stepped down in August. The sign-and-trade of Bogdanovic likely signals another rebuild for the Kings, who have not made the playoffs since 2006.
DiVincenzo may be the best player the Kings get in the deal, as the 6-foot-4 guard stepped up in 2019-20 — his second NBA season — to average 9.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg in 23 mpg. Wilson starred at Sacramento’s Capital Christian High School before being drafted by the Bucks in 2017 out of Michigan. He averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 9.8 mpg last season. Ilyasova is a 12-year NBA veteran who averaged 6.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg, but he may be waived by the Kings once acquired, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
