Life in the NBA can be funny. Teams have learned to expect the unexpected. They may have a plan, but an unexpected development could set that entire plan off course.
Look at the Philadelphia 76ers. This team traded James Harden near the beginning of the 2023-24 season. You’re not supposed to get better by making that move. Yet, the Sixers look as good or better than they did in 2022-23.
Tyrese Maxey’s emergence as a superstar guard has had much to do with that. He’s carrying Harden’s load. Meanwhile, the Sixers still have leftover assets from the Harden trade.
They could package them for a star, or hang onto some and make a more marginal deal. Could they trade for Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks?
NBA Trade Proposal
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F/C Marcus Morris Sr., 2028 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Bogdan Bogdanovic
With that said, some teams will try to leverage the unexpected. They’ll make a move that fans and analysts are skeptical about. In that situation, a team thinks they know something fans don’t.
The Hawks must have felt that way when they acquired Dejounte Murray. Fans and analysts wondered how he’d play alongside Trae Young. Aren’t these both ball-dominant playmakers? How will they co-exist on the offensive end of the floor?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
As it turns out, they can’t. The Hawks have been dreadfully disappointing since acquiring Murray. Now, they’re rumored to be shopping him. Should they also shop Bogdanovic?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Hawks have a lot of problems. The roster construction is wonky. Just as importantly, they’re expensive. Atlanta has a lot of money tied to long-term deals, and they don’t have the wins to justify their salary sheet.
This deal alleviates some of those concerns. They’re flipping a player on a long-term deal for an expiring contract. With that said, Bogdanovic is too good to simply salary dump.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
That’s why the Hawks are landing a lottery-protected first here. Given Bogdanovic’s age and contract, that feels like fair value. Should the Sixers give that much up for Bogdanovic?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers aren’t directly giving up any assets they landed in the Harden trade here. Still, it comes into play. If they hadn’t landed the Clippers’ 2028 first-rounder, they wouldn’t be able to move this lottery-protected pick.
Bogdanovic is worth the pick. He’s a shot-creator who can also make plays for his teammates. Bogdanovic’s ability to catch and shoot will also open up the floor for Maxey and Joel Embiid. This is a good player who will make the Sixers a better team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
What more do they need? The Sixers already have two superstar players. Tobias Harris is a viable third option. By adding a quality offensive guard like Bogdanovic, they should be able to give themselves some serious title odds – even if they’re not coming in the way they expected.
