Trade rumors have been mostly stagnant for the past month or so as everything seems to revolve around the Jimmy Butler saga. But now, with less than a week until the deadline, things are starting to move and more teams are coming out as sellers with the list of available players seeming to grow by the minute.
We’ve had a few big dominos fall, like De’Aaron Fox suddenly being on the trade block, and some smaller reports like the Bulls and Raptors being willing sellers. But most of these players aren’t realistic targets for the Nuggets, who have limited ability to match salaries and extremely limited draft capital.
Hawks willing to trade Bogdan Bogdanovic
The Hawks were a team that came into this season with high hopes and started off the season fairly well, but they’ve been crushed by injuries and were dealt a death blow, recently finding out that Jalen Johnson will be out for the season. This news has changed the outlook for Atlanta as they’ve recently made many of their role players available for trade.
One player they’re willing to trade is veteran shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogey has had some great moments in the NBA but he’s also made a name for himself playing internationally where he teams up with his countryman Nikola jOkic.
The two have a great chemistry and a great friendship and despite some recent struggles and his advancing age, it’s hard to believe that Bogey wouldn’t be a great addition to the Nuggets for a multitude of reasons.
No easy path for Nuggets to acquire Bogdanovic
As much as it would be fun to see Jokic playing with his close friend, it’s hard to imagine this one becoming a reality. Bogey makes $17.26 million this year, which the Nuggets could only match by including Michael Porter Jr.
Sacrificing MPJ for BOgey, by itself, would be a brutal move for Denver, but if that’s a price they were willing to pay they could add another player like De’Andre Hunter. Would the Nuggets be willing to sacrifice one of their best players for depth?
That’s a great question and one that’s not easy to answer. Porter Jr. has struggled recently, but on balance, he has been one of the Nuggets’ best players this season. He’s still just 26 years old and possesses an extremely rare and coveted combination of size and shooting. He’s also a solid rebounder and defender and has a great chemistry and understanding of his role with the Nuggets.
Bogey, on the other hand, looks like he’s headed for the tail end of his career. He has struggled to stay on the court and has looked older and slower than in years past. If the shot leaves him, he’ll be out of the league sooner than later.
Hunter is a very solid 3&D wing, but he’s having a career year and there’s no telling how well he would fit in Denver. There would be a massive amount of risk involved with this deal and it’s a lot to pay just to bring one of Jokci’s buddies to town.
If the Nuggets truly decide that they are looking to make a trade and give up Porter Jr., there are likely better offers they can make elsewhere in the league.