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Denver Nuggets: Pacers Bojan Bogdanovic would be a great addition

By Michael Walton

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers talk prior to a game on March 24, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers talk prior to a game on March 24, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets 54-win season was validation for president of basketball operations Tim Connelly deciding to stick with the same core after missing the playoffs in the 2017-18 season. But this offseason a bench unit shakeup is needed, and Pacers UFA forward Bojan Bogdanovic is a great fit at SF.

Out of the nine Nuggets players who saw significant playoff playing time, only the five starters posted positive plus/minus ratings. Specifically, the bench trio of Mason Plumlee, Monte Morris and Will Barton shot a combined 64.1 percent from the free throw line and did not provide much in the way of floor spacing. This led me to look for players who could’ve had a net positive impact coming off of the bench for the Nuggets—especially in high-intensity postseason situations—and Bojan Bogdanovic fits the mold.

In the 2018-19 season Bogdanovic averaged career-highs in PPG (18), RPG (5.8), APG (2.8) and SPG (2) as he took on a bigger role for the offensively-challenged Indiana Pacers, who were without star guard Victor Oladipo for roughly 57 percent of their games.

When a role player like “Bogey” has to take on a higher usage rate on offense, their offensive efficiency is supposed to take a steep hit. But despite raising his usage percentage by over three percent, Bogdanovic actually matched his career-high in true shooting percentage (61 percent) in 2018-19.

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Bojan Bogdanovic played a career-high 94 percent of his minutes at SF in 2018-19. This makes him ideal fit with the Nuggets, seeing as they have plenty of players who can play either guard spot. Throughout his career Bogdanovic has been a player who will take about 9 or 10 FGA per game and get you double-digit scoring figures with elite 3-point shooting efficiency. But in Oladipo’s absence, Bogdanovic had a career-best year in terms of getting to the basket (37 percent of FGA at rim per Cleaning the Glass).

Despite shooting more than ever before in his career, Bojan Bogdanovic finished in the 86th percentile among forwards in effective field goal percentage. He will be one of the more popular free agents among his tier. The Pacers will no doubt come with a solid offer and the appeal of familiarity, but the Nuggets can counter the chance to play with Jokic, who has played at least 73 games every season of his career.

Denver can offer Bogdanovic the chance to win at the highest levels, while not placing a large burden on him (which in turn takes him out of his game). He took a career-high 29 percent of his shot from midrange last year and hit 42 percent of them, another excellent mark. Bogdanovic’s midrange game would be useful in the postseason, especially when playing in pick-and-roll with Jokic.

After his excellent 18 PPG on 49.7 percent shooting in the regular season, Bogdanovic posted 18 PPG on a woeful 39.7 percent shooting over the Pacers four-game defeat at the hands of the Celtics. He took 15.8 FGA per game in the first round series against the Celtics. Bogdanovic should never be the first option in a regular season game, let alone a postseason game. But he is an excellent player and would help space the floor for a Nuggets team that just finished 17th in 3-point percentage. Bogdanovic took 4.8 3PA per game, hitting them at a 42.5 percent clip (12th in the league in 3-point percentage).

The main concern—besides asking price—when considering adding Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nuggets roster is defense. He is semi-famously allergic to getting blocks, but on the bright side, he did collect a career-high 69 steals over 81 games in ‘18-’19. He gives effort on the defensive side of the ball and just played the most minutes on a team that finished 3rd in the league on defensive rating.

This offseason the Nuggets might use he Mid-Level exception, trade exceptions or straight up cap space—depending on how the Paul Millsap negotiations go—to add a quality SF, and Bojan Bogdanovic would be a worthy investment.

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His defense isn’t any special, but he is one of the best shooters in the league. Bogdanovic would provide Mike Malone with great depth at the SF position, with he, Michael Porter Jr., Torrey Craig, Juan Hernangomez and Will Barton turning one of Denver’s weakest positional groups into one of their strengths.

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