SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on March 08, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Hawks are working hard to build a contender around Trae Young. Signing Bogdan Bogdanovic could make Atlanta a solid playoff team.
The Bucks saw Bogdan Bogdanovic as an ideal player to help them become NBA title contenders. Evidently, the Hawks agree. In the wake of Milwaukee’s failure to secure a sign-and-trade for the Serbian wing, Atlanta is poised to make him an offer in restricted free agency.
The Kings will have two days to decide whether or not they want to match the Hawks’ offer. If they do, Bogdanovic will be powerless to leave Sacramento unless they agree to a sign-and-trade with Atlanta. The Kings’ reported willingness to let Bogdanovic go to the Bucks before the start of free agency seems to indicate they aren’t excited at the possibility of handing him a lucrative, long-term contract.
The Hawks front office has a clear mandate to transform the roster around superstar guard Trae Young into a legitimate playoff team this season. Adding Danilo Gallinari earlier in the free agency period already gives Atlanta a quality shooter they desperately need on the wing. Drafting center Onyeka Okungwu should fortify the Hawks’ defense around the rim.
Landing Bogdanovic in free agency would be the most impactful move of Atlanta’s offseason. He is an excellent perimeter shooter who can also function as a secondary creator when Young is on the floor. His ability to shoulder the primary scoring load when Young heads to the bench should make him the Hawks’ second most valuable player moving forward.
The big outstanding question for Atlanta is what they want to do with John Collins. Signing Bogdanovic is going to give the team a crowded, and expensive, frontcourt rotation. It’s possible that the Hawks now believe Collins’ upcoming contract demands will drastically exceed their comfort level. That could make him an intriguing trade asset to help the team further construct their supporting cast around Young.
Now Hawks fans face a nervous wait. The Kings have the ability to torpedo their plans, but making an offer for Bogdanovic is a sign of real intent by the Atlanta franchise. That’s good news for a fan base that is desperate to see a contender emerge around Young.