The Philadelphia 76ers have a clean slate going into the offseason hoping that they can right the ship and become a legit title contender next year. Daryl Morey currently has two active contracts in the team, and he will have full control to operate with the available financial flexibility. In addition, the Sixers replenish some of their draft capital with the James Harden deal and also possess the 16th pick in this year's draft.
The acquired draft capital can be attractive for teams that can potentially go into rebuilding mode this offseason. In any case, one player that Philly needs to look at giving up some of their draft value should be the Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Hawks currently hold the No.1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and they might go in a different direction as a franchise after consecutive disappointing seasons.
That means that their veteran core could be available for the right price, and the Sixers should be aggressive in pursing players in NBA teams that are selling. One of those cases could be Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has been a steady contributor for Atlanta despite their shortcomings as a team. He was part of the Hawks' team that beat the 76ers in the conference semifinals back in 2021.
The 2021 playoffs were the first playoff appearances of his NBA career putting up averages of 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Bogdanovic is playing in the wing most of the time. However, he is capable of handling some on-ball duties as a secondary playmaker and his excellent off-ball movement helps him be a scoring threat from all three levels.
Bogdanovic coming up clutch down the stretch!
— NBA (@NBA) March 29, 2024
Celtics-Hawks is headed to OT! https://t.co/T6QHBgcAW2 pic.twitter.com/IfZHO2Y9UQ
During his time in Europe, the Serbian international was playing mostly as a point guard. That said, in the NBA, his capabilities have been utilized in the wing. At 6-5, the Hawks' guard/forward is coming off his best season in his career while he's playing to one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league. The Serbian star averaged almost 17 points on 42/37/92 shooting splits adding also 3.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds.
Bogdanovic could be the perfect fit alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as he was an active floor-stretcher by attempting 8.1 threes per game during the past season. Also, the Sixers are in need of a player that can lead the offense when their superstars sit on the bench and Bogdanovic can do that for stretches in games.
The 76ers could upgrade their second-unit by bringing in Bogdanovic
The Philadelphia 76ers second-unit struggled during the second part of the 2023-24 season while Joel Embiid was rehabbing from injury. Tyrese Maxey had to carry a big load on offense, the Sixers' offense plummeted and the team had to go through the play-in to enter postseason play. Eventually, they ended up facing the Knicks in the first-round and lost in six.
Last season, Bogdanovic spent most of his time coming off the bench and received votes for the Sixth Man of the Year award. His presence will help the Sixers when Tyrese Maxey or Joel Embiid is sitting on the bench. The Serbian played in 79 games for the Hawks and only started 33, while he was taking most of the duties offensively when Young or Murray was out.
Bogi has three more seasons in his current deal with the last year being a team option at the bargain price of $16 million. With Sixers having loads of cap space this summer, preserving some by trading for a player that can produce on the big stage on a team-friendly contract will be the ideal move. The offseason market became a bit shallow after the OKC Thunder traded for Alex Caruso, while Malik Monk returned to Sacramento, so the 76ers need to act with more conviction.
The Sixers are entering the final week of this month with the ability to trade draft capital. I would expect to make a move during the draft night and if Bogdanovic is available then, it will be a no-brainer for Daryl Morey to inquire about him. Let's not forget that, there was a rumored interest from Philadelphia mid-season, but the Hawks were not willing to part ways with the Serbian star.
Since then, things have changed for both teams and the Hawks might be willing to give up Bogdanovic for the right price. In that case, the Sixers could be among the teams that can make a strong offer to bring him to Philadelphia.