One NBA analyst has urged the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade for Atlanta Hawks forward Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Ismail Sy of King James Gospel believes Bogdanovic “would be the perfect fit off the bench.”
“Bogdanovic would be the perfect fit off the bench for the Cavs as their sixth man,” Sy wrote. “Bogdanovic’s strong Olympic run only reinforces the need for Cleveland to try and acquire him. Bogdanovic averaged 18 points per game on 46 percent from three-point range on seven attempts. He also flashed as a playmaker for Serbia, averaging four assists per game. He was a valuable ball handler and scorer next to Nikola Jokic and gave the USA fits during the semifinal round. In that game, Bogdanovic scored 20 points and was great at navigating out of the pick-and-roll and hitting big-time shots that gave Serbia a chance to upset the United States.
“He also had a strong regular season as well, where he averaged a career high in points and shot above 37 percent from three for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Bogdanovic has been one of the more consistent players off the bench in the NBA for the last few seasons and even though the Cavs bench improved in the regular season last year, they could use more firepower. It may be tough to acquire Bogdanovic via trade, but with the Hawks in the midst of a rebuild, he could be had for the right price and could be a difference-maker for a Cavs team looking to make some noise in the East.”
Bogdanovic averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks for the Hawks in 2023-24 while shooting 42.8% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line.
The veteran wing will make $17.3 million next season.
Bogdanovic, 33, has career averages of 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Sacramento Kings and Hawks.
Cleveland has added only two new players this offseason, Jaylon Tyson and JT Thor.
The Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games and lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games.
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