Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Breaking Down How Bojan Bogdanovic Would Fit on Playoff Contenders

By Charles Daye

Jan 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

As the trade deadline approaches, Brooklyn Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic is rumored to be drawing interest from multiple teams. How exactly would he fit on a playoff contender?

The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly lowered the asking price for Brook Lopez from two first-round picks to one first and an additional second-round pick. Perhaps Bojan Bogdanovic would be able to fetch Brooklyn an extra first-round pick they can’t get for Lopez.

While Bogdanovic is not a former All-Star like his teammate Lopez, he is a highly respected international athlete. Not to mention, he has an expiring rookie contract.

Bogdanovic has started all but one game for the Nets this season. He is averaging 14 points per game (an NBA career-high), and shooting 44 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from behind the arc in 29.6 minutes per game.

This is arguably his best season in the NBA so far, and it is immediately after a fantastic Olympic performance in Rio. While representing his homeland of Croatia, he averaged 25.3 points (50 percent shooting from the field/45 percent from three) in 35 minutes per game over six contests.

RELATED STORY: Three Ideal Trade Destinations For Bogdanovic

If Bogdanovic is traded, it will most likely be to a playoff contender looking for depth off the bench, and the Nets reportedly have multiple offers for the 27-year-old. A team like the Washington Wizards might look to add depth to their bench and be willing to part with a pick to do so. The Charlotte Hornets are another playoff contender who could use the Croatian scorer.

For comparison, Lou Williams, a former Sixth Man of the Year, was recently traded for Corey Brewer and a first-round pick. Williams is three years older than Bogdanovic, has only started one game, and is averaging more points (18) in less minutes (24). Williams is probably the most valuable sixth man in the league at this moment.

The trade market is dictated by position, and right now, big men are not valued as high as wing players or guards. Bogdanovic can play the two-guard or either forward spot depending on the match-up. Besides being known as a sharpshooter, he has shown his aggressiveness to drive to the basket and dunk, on top of drawing contact to get the foul.

More from Nothin' But Nets

Coming off the bench for a playoff contender, he would not be relied on as heavily as he is in Brooklyn. The Nets rely on him to be the next offensive option after Lopez. If he were traded to Washington or Charlotte, he would be backing up Otto Porter or Nicolas Batum.

Additionally, playing with a much more dynamic point guard in John Wall or Kemba Walker would open up the floor for Bogdanovic like never before. All of these scenarios would likely give the potential trade partner more of a willingness to part with a first-round pick.

Next: Four Positives For the Nets at the All-Star Break

It remains to be seen whether or not Bogdanovic will be traded at all, let alone for a first-round pick. The Nets could lower their expectations for Bogie, similarly to how they did with Lopez and settle for a young, undervalued player who still on his rookie contract. Mario Hezonja, anyone?