The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and the focus of Serbian basketball fans is on national team captain Bogdan Bogdanović. The 32-year-old shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks is under contract with the team through 2027. He signed a four-year deal worth $68 million, with $51.98 million guaranteed. Currently, in the 2024-25 season, his gross salary and cap hit is $17.26 million, which makes his trade to Denver, according to the NBA’s new rules, quite problematic.
Bogdanović’s contract runs until the summer of 2027, with the last year being an option for the team to extend. Although Bogdanović is having a weaker season due to injuries, the question remains whether Atlanta would be willing to part with one of their key players, given the length of his remaining contract and his impact on the team.
Which Denver Nuggets Players Could Be Involved in the Trade?
The Denver Nuggets are currently in a position where they have several significant contracts that could be included in a trade scenario. Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, both with substantial contracts, represent the two main options for any swap.
Michael Porter Jr.
Porter is currently a key player for Denver, but with a five-year contract worth $179 million, his cap hit for the 2024-25 season is $35.86 million. This large amount makes him a potential trade candidate. However, his market value is high, considering his youth (26 years old) and shooting abilities.
Despite a difficult start to his career due to injuries, Porter has played every game this season and is averaging 17.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, shooting 51% from the field and 40.7% from three.
The Nuggets would definitely want, and would have to, add another Atlanta player in the trade to match the salaries. This could be Deandre Hunter, who has also been excellent this season (19.3 points, 46% from the field, 39% from three). However, in that case, Denver would likely have to add at least a first-round pick. Otherwise, the trade would need to include Zik Naji or Dario Šarić.
Denver (Cap Hit 2024-25) | Atlanta (Cap Hit 2024-25)
- Bogdan Bogdanović: $17,260,000 | Michael Porter Jr.: $35,859,950
- Deandre Hunter: $21,696,429 | Zik Naji: $8,888,889
Total: $38,956,429 | Total: $44,748,839
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon is another player with a high contract, earning $22.84 million for the 2024-25 season. However, due to the new contract he signed, Gordon cannot be traded this season.
Why Would a Trade to Denver for Bogdanović Be Difficult?
Furthermore, Denver cannot make a trade without a high salary contract, even if they combine the contracts of Naji, Šarić, and Vlatko Čančar. They would need to add another player on a rookie contract, but general manager Calvin Booth has repeatedly shown he is not ready to take that step.
If Denver were willing to add another player, it could be their last pick, Daron Holmes, who tore his Achilles tendon during summer league and will not play this season. In that case, Denver could receive Czech representative Vít Krejčí in return, who would be a good fit with Nikola Jokić due to his strong three-point shooting.
Another option could be the more experienced Garrison Mathews, a former player for Washington and Houston. However, Mathews is on a one-year contract, and it is unclear if Denver would be willing to trade a rookie player for such a short-term solution. Krejčí, like Holmes, has a four-year contract.
In Denver | In Atlanta
- Bogdan Bogdanović | Zik Naji
- Vít Krejčí | Dario Šarić
- Daron Holmes
- Vlatko Čančar
This trade could be financially feasible, but there is little chance Atlanta would want to part with Bogdanović for players who are playing little and poorly this season.
If this trade were to happen, Denver would have a sorted situation at the guard positions. Besides starters Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook, as well as Christian Braun, who can play both guard spots, there would be Bogdanović, Krejčí, and the young Stroter. Peyton Watson could naturally replace Aaron Gordon at the forward spot, while DeAndre Jordan would remain as a backup for Nikola Jokić.
The backup center position could also be an area Denver might address, as 36-year-old Jordan is far from his former All-Star form. However, they will likely need to address this in the summer or sign a free agent.
Currently, among the available centers with NBA experience, the most well-known is 32-year-old Bismack Biyombo, once the 7th overall pick in the draft, who played last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Some other experienced centers could become free agents after the NBA trade deadline, but the options are limited, with only Aleks Len standing out.
In conclusion, Serbia’s national team captain will not be traded to Denver this season. A trade to another team could happen, and American media is mentioning the Phoenix Suns as one of the options.