Sacramento Kings: Analyzing the team’s 3 biggest offseason questions

1. Will the team have to choose between Hield or Bogdanovic?

The Kings’ late-season surge elevated them back into contention but simultaneously created another problem that would eventually be faced once the season concluded.

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That ordeal has surrounded Sacramento star shooting guard Buddy Hield and his displeasure with the team’s decision to send him to the bench in favor of Bogdan Bogdanovic.

After having signed a four-year deal last offseason that could pay up to $106 million, it appeared the Kings were all in on Buddy Hield being the franchise player. However, after a devastating streak of defeats, coach Luke Walton’s Hield-for-Bogdanovic lineup swap, this idea vanished.

With the highest-paid player on the team having come off the bench in favor of a player that earned $9 million this season and will become a free agent, the Kings created a dilemma.

Shams Charina of The Athletic reported earlier this season that Hield might request a trade this offseason barring a change.

"“If Hield remains displeased with his role, a source with knowledge of his thinking said he might request a trade. He believes he is a starter in the NBA, and there’s no guarantee he’ll get that job back, given how the team has played lately.”"

With Hield locked up long-term and Bogdanovic set to be a free agent, all signs point to Bogdanovic going elsewhere and Hield reclaiming his starting spot.

However, a recent report from The Athletic’s Jason Jones suggests that the Kings will match any offer sheet extended towards Bogdanovic, and re-signing the 27-year-old is a “top priority.”

If that is the case, Buddy Hield like has played his last game in a Sacramento jersey and will request a trade this coming offseason.

Between Sacramento’s desire to retain Bogdanovic and Hield’s fractured relationship, it is more likely than not Bogdanovic will be the team’s starting shooting guard next season.