NBA investigating botched Bogdanovic trade to Bucks

What happened with the Kings' botched trade of guard Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Bucks? Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

NBA investigating botched Bogdan Bogdanovic trade to Bucks

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/20/20

Bogdan Bogdanovic could've been a Milwaukee Buck. When it was announced that he had been traded to the organization from the Sacramento Kings, Bucks fans were ecstatic to hear that general manager Jon Horst was serious about building a title-contending team around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

ESPN reported the sign-and-trade deal on Monday, which would've sent Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson and Ersan Ilyasova to the Kings. Two days later, The Athletic reported the deal had been called off because Bogdanovic never agreed to the terms of the trade.

It's now being reported by Marc Stein of The New York Times that the NBA is investigating the Bucks for tampering as a result of the messed-up deal.

The NBA has opened an investigation of the reported transaction involving Milwaukee and Sacramento that was to send Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Bucks via sign-and-trade after Friday's scheduled start of free agency, @NYTSports has learned
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 20, 2020

Bogdanovic is set to become a free agent at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, so, technically, he still could join the Bucks if they're willing to give him a deal on the open market. With Jrue Holiday joining the team on a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, it could be a pretty enticing destination for Bogdanovic, who averaged a career-high 15.1 points per game last season.

With Antetokounmpo in the final year of his contract, Milwaukee is trying to do everything in their power to convince the two-time MVP to stay put. When and if he becomes a free agent, he'll have plenty of enticing offers to sift through.

The Miami Heat, who made it to the NBA Finals last season, have been rumored to be a top destination for Antetokounmpo. When asked about the prospects of joining the Heat earlier this week, Antetokounmpo reportedly smiled, per tennis star Nick Kyrgios. Of course, this may not be the truth ... the Bucks star responded to Kyrgios saying "Why do you always have to start something?"

Whatever the case may be, the "Greek Freak" is going to have plenty of teams after him following the 2020-21 campaign. If the Bucks can't prove they're a legit contender, Antetokounmpo may be forced to search for a title elsewhere.

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