Just this morning on the NBA, ESPN reports that the Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns to get a $95.8 million Much-Needed Sharpshooter from the Hawks.. And there were other reports this morning, however...

$Bogdan Bogdanovic diagnosed with avulsion fracture, bone bruise in right knee - Peachtree Hoops$

Grade The Mock Trade: Nuggets Go All-In And Get Bogdan Bogdanovic To Team Up With Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets can bring Nikola Jokic’s international teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic to Denver in this risky mock trade with the Hawks.

The Denver Nuggets have endured a significant talent drain in the last two seasons after winning the 2023 NBA Championship. Key players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green have left the franchise with the Nuggets hoping that young players such as Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson can emerge as replacements internally.

Grade The Mock Trade: Nuggets Go All-In And Get Bogdan Bogdanovic To Team Up With Nikola Jokic - Fadeaway World

While that could be a sound strategy, the team needs to compete for titles against other top teams who have been improving their rosters over the last two seasons. They already fell to the second round last year, and they need to maximize Nikola Jokic’s core as the Serbian center is turning 30 years old next season. Acquiring a familiar face who can bring reliable perimeter scoring might be the best way forward for the Nuggets.

Trade Details

Denver Nuggets Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Atlanta Hawks Receive: Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Dario Saric, Vlatko Cancar, 2030 First-Round Pick (DEN)

The Nuggets will have to part ways with Julian Strawther, a 22-year-old swingman who they had high hopes for. But they add Bogdanovic to enhance other young players such as Braun and Watson. His shooting prowess and chemistry with Jokic have brought international success to the Serbian national team and this deal hopes to replicate that with the Nuggets.

TRADE RUMORS: Nuggets Go All-In At kukunin si Bogdan Bogdanovic To Team Up kay Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets Acquire A Much-Needed Sharpshooter

People are underestimating the gravity of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure from the Nuggets. He was the final piece to a built roster that put them over the hump for a championship in 2023. Hoping Christian Braun will emerge enough to be a replacement for him from day one is really audacious, though the Nuggets will definitely put him in a position to start next season. Braun averaged 7.3 points on 38.4% from three last season, so Denver will be hoping Braun can match that volume or efficiency.

Bogdanovic averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists last season, shooting 37.4% from three on 8.1 attempts per game. He has been playing in an offensive system orchestrated by one player as well, so Bogdanovic might be one of the best available off-ball offensive complements any superstar player can ask for. Jokic and Bogdanovic know each other very well and are the leading options for their team internationally.

How the Nuggets Use Dribble Handoffs with Nikola Jokic - YouTube

Bringing Bogdanovic’s familiarity into the locker room while relying on him to maintain his offensive production is a solid bet for the Nuggets. They got worse last season even with KCP on the roster, so expecting Braun to suddenly be enough of a difference-maker to not only maintain how Denver played but to improve on their second-round exit might be unfair. Playing behind Bogdanovic might be better for his development and the overall win-now prospects of the Nuggets.