Bogdan Bogdanovic targeting early November return to Kings lineup

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SACRAMENTO -- Bogdan Bogdanovic is back … well, sort of.

The second-year Kings guard is sitting out while recovering from a knee procedure he had three weeks ago. For the first time, though, he was able to get on the court and do some running, but he’s still a few weeks away from a return.

“I’m pretty confident, and I don’t let these little injuries get me down,” Bogdanovic said Monday following practice. “It’s just sad because I really wanted to start this season from the opening game. That’s what really bothers me.”

Bogdanovic is targeting Nov. 7 against the Toronto Raptors for his return, although nothing is set in stone. He has tried to sneak on the court, but the coaching staff has forced him to take it easy with the hopes of keeping him healthy long term.

“I miss it a lot. It’s tough to just sit back and do nothing,” Bogdanovic said. “I actually try sometimes to get on the court, but they kick me out. I just try to help with the passes, you know, just to be around the team, but they don’t want me to do that.”

As a young player, being away from your teammates is tough. Injuries can be isolating, especially early in the season when the team is in training camp and working around the clock.

“It’s just to not be able to workout with the guys, to share the effort that they’re putting in everyday,” Bogdanovic added. 

With Bogdanovic sidelined, Kings coach Dave Joerger is losing an important piece that is very difficult for the team to replace. Joerger has scrambled to replace Bogdanovic during the preseason, using Buddy Hield, Yogi Ferrell and Frank Mason III alongside point guard De’Aaron Fox.

“He’s definitely a cog in what we’re trying to do and he gives us a lot more playmaking and increases our IQ,” Joerger said. “He helps us, definitely offensively. Gives us a lot more versatility, and I think settles us, too.”

Bogdanovic can run the offense and take some of the load off Fox. He gets everyone involved with his passing ability, and he shot 39.2 percent from behind the arc last season.

“He’s a great shooter, another playmaker that’s on the floor,” Fox said. “He just always makes everyone better when he’s playing. Of course we’re going to miss him.”

During his rookie campaign, Bogdanovic became a coach on the floor for Sacramento. After years of playing in Europe, he’s wise beyond his years by NBA standard and brings a different vibe to the team.

“He’s a special dude, he loves to play and he’s just a really good person,” Joerger said. “He’s always the ultimate team guy, he reminds me a lot of Marc Gasol -- always about the team, and those are the people you want to be around.”

Joerger has yet to announce who will start on opening night in Bogdanovic’s place. Hield is the logical choice, but he’s played better coming off the bench in his first two NBA seasons. Ferrell and Mason also will draw consideration for Wednesday’s season opener against the Jazz at Golden 1 Center.

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