After nearly a decade, Bojan Bogdanovic is returning to the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets acquired the 35-year-old in a trade with the New York Knicks. The Nets sent Mikal Bridges to the Knicks and received a haul of picks along with the veteran. While the Nets don’t have high expectations for the 2024-25 season, Bogdanovic could be a pleasant surprise for Brooklyn this season.
What Bojan Bogdanovic Brings to the Brooklyn Nets
A New Second Option?
While it is clear that Cam Thomas will be the focal point of Brooklyn’s scoring this season, the second option is up for grabs. Before joining the Knicks, Bogey played for a season and a half with the Detroit Pistons. Bogdanovic averaged 20.2 points per game on 41.3% shooting from beyond the arc with the Pistons. Despite his lack of athleticism, the 6-foot-7 forward can score at all three levels. Bogdanovic is an efficient three-point shooter who uses his size and strength to utilize his post moves. While he isn’t known as an elite finisher, Bogdanovic has crafty moves to draw fouls and finish around the rim. Bogdanovic has an innate ability to score. However, people often overlook the value of experience. He is a savvy veteran who uses his experience to make high-IQ plays.
A Veteran for the Young Core
As Bogdanovic is entering his 11th season in the NBA to go along with three years of playing professional basketball in Turkey, Bogdanovic has an incredible amount of experience. Notably, he has played in 51 playoff games and averaged 13.1 points per game, shooting 42.5% from the field and 38.3% from deep.
Aside from his on-court presence, Bogdanovic is a great locker-room presence and mentor for the younger players. Players like 2024 Summer League MVP Jalen Wilson and former Tennessee guard Keon Johnson can learn a lot from Bogdanovic and his game. While Bogey might not be a piece of the Nets organization in a couple of years, he can be a key to unlocking the true potential of the Nets’ young forwards.
Trade Value
Bogdanovic is in the second year of his two-year contract that he originally signed with the Pistons. While Bogdanovic might end his career on the Nets, he would also be a productive trade asset if he gets resigned by Brooklyn. Teams are always looking for seasoned veterans as they make for great role players on championship teams. We have seen plenty of examples of role players being big pieces in championship teams. Even just last season, Derrick White and Al Horford were major contributors to the Celtics championship season.
While Bogey is in the later stage of his NBA career, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. He averaged 15.2 points per game last season playing despite being traded in the middle of the season. He could be a piece in a trade to receive more draft picks or even a future star. Whether he remains in Brooklyn or gets sent to another team, Bogdanovic still can have a major impact on just about any team in the league.
Realistic Expectations in Brooklyn
It’s safe to say that at the age of 35, Bogdanovic has already passed his prime. This doesn’t mean that he can’t still be a productive piece to this rebuilding Brooklyn Nets team. Bogdonavic statistically had his best year with the Detroit Pistons in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 21.6 points per game on 48.8% shooting from the field. The reason that his statistics dropped last season was due to his limited minutes on the New York Knicks.
While nobody is certain that Bogey will return to that level of play again, his statistics will vary based on playing time. If given the proper playing time, Bogdanovic can easily be a 20-point-per-game scorer. Especially with Ben Simmons and Dennis Schroder, the veteran will receive a lot of open looks.
However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bogdanovic fall out of the starting lineup for the development of the Nets youngsters. While Bogdanovic has the skill to be a starter, this is a rebuilding season for Brooklyn. The Nets would rather develop their young core, even if that means forfeiting a few points out of Bogey. Regardless of the Nets’ success this season, it will be interesting to see Bodganovic’s return to the team where it all started.
