Looking back at Bogi’s contributions.
As a restricted free agent in 2020, the Atlanta Hawks offered 2017-18 former All-Rookie shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanović a four-year, $72 million deal. This was regarded as an excellent contract, as Bogdanović emerged from a prominent role with the Sacramento Kings.
Furthermore, through three seasons with the Kings, the six-foot-five sensation had his best in 2019-20, where he averaged 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in under 30 minutes per night. Additionally, Bogdanović rose to the fifth-highest usage percentage on Sacramento, backing up how important he was to their postseason push.
Upon Bogdanović’s arrival to the Hawks, fans were certain he would thrive in a boundless role next to franchise superstar Trae Young. He was the perfect complement, as Young now had a reliable star who could consistently shoot from all three levels off the bench.
Bogdanović not only lived up to the hype in his first season with Atlanta but posted the best of his young career. Despite missing time, he recorded 16.4 points, 3.6 boards, and 3.3 assists on a remarkable true shooting percentage of 61.6.
Moreover, 2020-2021 was a memorable season for the Hawks, as they concluded one of the most memorable playoff runs in franchise history. Bogdanović, in particular, played fairly well with 14.1 points in 33.2 minutes for former head coach Nate McMillan.
Pages turned, and Bogdanović continued to excel under State Farm Arena. He gradually improved through 2022, finishing sixth in voting for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. These honors slowly forged him as a fan favorite for Hawks enthusiasts worldwide.
Amid success, Bogdanović and Young showcased their unbreakable connection to the NBA community. They backed up their hours of hard work behind the scenes as these two built chemistry off shot-making, playmaking, and transition buckets.
In 2023, Bogdanović’s numbers took a slight hit, yet his efficiencies increased on all three levels. He stamped 14.0 points in 54 games on an efficient 40.6% clip from beyond the arc. These numbers may not appeal to fans, but they indicate a strong future for the veteran shooting guard.
The Hawks front office was aware Bogdanović was on the verge of another career season and elected to extend him long-term.
The 2023-24 season took off, and Hawks executives were spot on with their projections. Bogdanović finished the year playing 79 games, the most of his NBA career, and averaged 16.9 points (a career-high) on 56.9% true shooting.
Following the regular season, the NBA announced their Sixth Man of the Year finalists, and Atlanta’s formidable guard was snubbed off the list. This did not seem fair, as Bogdanović’s contributions were of high value off the bench.
Now, in his eighth season, the Serbian star has been experiencing hamstring issues. These concerns have plagued his season, which explains the drastic change in averages across the board.
Conversely, it is important to remember how superior Bogdanović can be when he is one hundred percent. He has established himself as a staple for the Hawks franchise and will soon become an icon once he hangs the jersey. In the meantime, Atlanta should hold on to Bogdanović for as long as possible.