It might be a reaction to the news that Jalen Johnson will be out for the season. Nevertheless, the Atlanta Hawks are getting more talkative as the trade deadline approaches.
“It has been known for some time that Atlanta is willing to trade veteran center Clint Capela,” writes The Stein Line’s Marc Stein, “but league sources say that the Hawks have begun actively exploring the trade market for their own perimeter specialist: Bogdan Bogdanović.”
Hawks Open Floor For Trade Talks Involving Bogdan Bogdanovic
The Hawks’ deciding to explore former first round picks Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s trade market is somewhat surprising. Up until now, he had been one of the team’s best performers. However, he’s having the worst season of his career and limited to 24 games in 2024-25, primarily due to a hamstring injury.
It’s ironic given that Bogdanovic’s goal when he entered the season was to play all 82 games. Perhaps Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic jinxed him when discussing how well he takes care of his body. The basketball gods have a funny sense of humor.
With that being said, there are reasons to believe that he can bounce back. He played in at least 60 games in five of the previous seven seasons, so he is usually durable. Furthermore, he averaged 14.7 points and 3.3 assists per game on 38.4 percent shooting from three in his first seven seasons. At 6-foot-5, he has the size and athleticism needed to make plays on-ball but is at his best beyond the arc. Though his defense is inconsistent, he can make a positive impact at that end when he plays inspired.
Thus, there are several teams that should have interest in him.
Phoenix Suns
The Hawks are discussing a trade with the Phoenix Suns that would bring them Jusuf Nurkic. There are two ways that they could accomplish this feat without the help of another team. One option is to absorb Nurkic’s salary into the $25.3 million trade exception that they received from sending John Collins to the Utah Jazz. The other is to trade Bogdanovic for Nurkic straight-up.
The trade doesn’t make much sense for either side on the surface no matter which route they chose. That is, unless it ends up involving Suns star Bradley Beal.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers, looking for someone to spark their second unit, could call about Bogdanovic as well. The problem, from L.A.’s perspective, is that it would likely require them to move Rui Hachimura. Hachimura’s starting spot has seemingly been taken by Dorian Finney-Smith because he’s more suited for the 3-and-D role the former has to play in the first unit. Nonetheless, the Lakers view Hachimura as a long-term piece, so they’ll likely be reluctant to trade him.
That doesn’t mean they won’t though. With all due respect, the fact that Lakers head coach JJ Redick felt the need to insert rookie Bronny James into a serious game is evidence that their backcourt depth needs an upgrade in and of itself.
Denver Nuggets
Another team to consider is the Denver Nuggets, if not by just the virtue of Bogdanovic’s connection to Nikola Jokic. During the Paris Olympics, the two were teammates on Serbia’s national team. There, Jokic saw first-hand what Bogdanovic is capable of.
Unlike Team Serbia, the Nuggets’ offense revolves around Jokic. However, if Bogdanovic landed in Denver, the pre-established chemistry would come in handy. He probably wouldn’t be starting, but with Julian Strawther and Christian Braun their only backup wings that are considered spot-up threats, he’d likely see a lot of minutes alongside Jokic. That’s even more likely if Michael Porter Jr., a friend of Trae Young and who complements Johnson well, is the Hawks’ target.
In either case, with Bogdanovic a longtime sixth man, he’s more than comfortable in a bench role.
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