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Shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and Serbia nearly upset Team USA during Thursday's 2024 Paris Olympic semifinal battle. Following Bogdanovic's strong play, one-time NBA champion Nick Young called for the LA Lakers, who have had a quiet offseason, to acquire him via trade.
Bogdanovic finished with a team-high 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and three 3-pointers, shooting 44.4% as Serbia led most of Thursday's contest (35:12). After building a 17-point first-half advantage, the Serbians took a 13-point lead entering the fourth quarter before being outscored 32-15 the rest of the way.
The Americans' late-game heroics, spearheaded by superstar guard Steph Curry, who finished with a game-high 36 points, were ultimately too much for Serbia to handle. However, despite the Serbians falling 95-91, Bogdanovic's standout offensive performance and passion garnered considerable online attention.
Following the thrilling contest, Young took to X/Twitter, urging his former team, the Lakers, to acquire the sharpshooter.
"Lakers, go get Bogdanovic ASAP," Young said.
Bogdanovic, a seven-year NBA veteran entering his eighth season, signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks last year. The deal locked him under contract until at least the end of the 2025-26 season, with Atlanta holding a team option for the 2026-27 campaign.
So, LA would have to match Bogdanovic's $17.3 million salary for next season in a potential deal. It could do so with players such as forward Rui Hachimura ($17 million) or point guard D'Angelo Russell ($18.7 million), or package together smaller contracts.
Despite being heavily involved in trade rumors and being one of the league's premier free-agency destinations, the franchise hasn't acquired any proven players this offseason.
Nevertheless, Lakers fans have consistently called for their team to bolster its guard and big man depth around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. So, Bogdanovic could help with the former. However, it's unclear how interested the Hawks would be in parting ways with the 3-point marksman.
Also Read: Steph Curry vs Bogdan Bogdanovic: Closer look at USA and Serbia guards' Paris Olympics so far
Bogdan Bogdanovic could provide Lakers with much-needed shooting boost
As for Bogdan Bogdanovic's projected fit with LA, whether starting or operating as a sixth man, he could give the team a much-needed shooting boost.
The Lakers are coming off a season in which they finished 24th in 3s per game (11.8). Newly hired rookie coach JJ Redick has expressed a desire to implement a free-flowing, movement-based offense with more 3-point shooting. So, Bogdanovic could be a strong fit in Redick's system.
Over 79 games this past season, Bogdanovic averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.0 3-pointers per game, shooting 42.8% and 37.4% from 3.
Also Read: Bogdan Bogdanovic accuses referees of bias in Serbia's heartbreaking defeat to USA
