The Philadelphia 76ers should look to acquire this Atlanta Hawk
The Sixers are a flawed team. They need another ball-handler, they could use a high-level wing defender, but most of all, they need to take and make more threes. The three-pointer issue is easier said than done, but the trade deadline is approaching, and Bogdan Bogdanovic would be a perfect fit for the Sixers.
By Will Kofron
The Atlanta Hawks look poised to be sellers at the trade deadline, and while the Sixers have been a rumored destination for Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic could very well be the wiser choice. It does not have to be one or the other. Hypothetically, the Sixers could trade Tobias Harris, and Jaden Springer, and attach all of their assets for those two, but that may be a waste of limited resources that could be used for a more meaningful deal this summer.
Focusing Solely on Bogdanovic would result in a cheaper price tag. He is 31 years old, makes a moderate amount of money, and is not a defensive player, though is certainly capable on that end. He has his flaws, but he is an absolute flamethrower from deep. While Bogdanovic’s three-point percentage is currently down from his previous years, he is attempting a mind-boggling 8.9 attempts per game so far (4th in the NBA). He is the most attainable shooter of this caliber, and the Sixers desperately need that.
Joel Embiid has always thrived playing alongside shooters. Both Seth Curry and JJ Redick had the best years of their careers playing with Joel Embiid and had a dramatic drop off once they departed. Embiid’s chemistry with shooters could elevate Bogdanovic’s game even further.
Bogdanovic is not just a catch-and-shoot guy, he is a solid creator for himself and could alleviate some of the issues that are apparent with the lack of ball-handlers. Prior to playing with Trae Young, Bogdanovic also had success as a playmaker for others when he was in Sacramento, and there may be some untapped potential there. He is bigger, more athletic, and a better defender than both Redick and Curry. Because of that, he can absolutely hold up on the defensive end in the playoffs, while providing a potent scoring punch to go along with elite spacing for Maxey and Embiid to operate.
The pros far outweigh the minimal cons when it comes to Bogdan Bogdanovic, but what is the cost?
It is impossible for certain to say what it may be, but taking a look at the OG Anunoby deal may give some insight. Anunoby was traded for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick. Two of the players in the deal were expiring contracts, so it is hard to do a one-to-one comparison, but Anunoby is also a far better and younger player than Bogdanovic. Though he is under contract, some teams may view his salary as too steep for what he is.
The Anunoby trade may hint at the price tag being cheaper than anticipated. Could the trade simply be just Marcus Morris, Jaden Springer, and Several second-round picks? It is possible, but the Sixers should look to only offer one first-round pick at most for Bogdanovic’s services. While his contract and the assets lost in trading for him could hinder their offseason plans, the Sixers need to Maximize this Embiid and Maxey season and try to win the title. Trading for Bogdanovic could go a long way in doing so given his perfect fit with the Sixers.