The Atlanta Hawks are ready to go in a different direction, and things could develop quickly with the trade deadline one week away. Their latest venture is finding a new home for veteran swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic.
A popular player in the organization, locker room, and among fans, Bogdanovic has not performed up to his usual standard as a scorer.
Despite that, and his injury woes earlier in the season, there is interest in Bogdanovic.
“League sources say that the Hawks have begun actively exploring the trade market for … Bogdan Bogdanović,” The Stein Line’s Marc Stein wrote on January 30. “He still has fans around the league and has to be monitored closely given the credible whispers this week that he could be on the move.”
Moreover, the Hawks might not have to look too far to find an offer that meets their satisfaction if they pull the trigger before the deadline.
Stein’s colleague Jake Fischer reported on a potentially robust market.
“@JakeLFischer reports there is rising confidence now that Atlanta will ultimately have multiple potential landing spots to trade Bogdan Bogdanović before next week's trade deadline,” Stein posted on X on January 30.
Bogdanovic, 32, is averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists this season. He has a 46.9% effective field goal mark and is shooting 30.1% from beyond the arc.
Bogdanovic is in Year 2 of a four-year, $68 million contract.
His injury history and the length of his contract could be a hang-up in some conversations. However, Bogdanovic remains a versatile scorer capable of creating for himself when he is healthy and cooking.
The Hawks got to see it during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, but have not gotten that version of the former Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Ahead of the Hawks’ game against the Cavaliers on Thursday, Bogdanovic is not with the team.
He is listed on the injury report, not with a specific ailment, but with that designation. It is the same note attached to Cody Zeller, whom the Hawks acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Dejounte Murray trade.
Both the Hawks and Zeller agreed he would remain away from the team while awaiting a resolution to his status (i.e. find a trade or decide to waive him).
Bogdanovic could be following a similar pattern.
Where Bogdanovic will land is a mystery. There are reports of ongoing trade talks between the Hawks and Phoenix Suns that would yield center Jusuf Nurkic and, more importantly, a first-round draft pick.
But with widespread interest, the Hawks may be able to extract even greater value from one of the five remaining players from their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.