Bogdan Bogdanovic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Western Notes: Conley, Bogdanovic, Jazz Arena

June 14th, 2016 at 8:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

There is growing concern in the Grizzlies‘ front office that point guard Mike Conley might leave the team in free agency this summer, posts Ian Begley on ESPN Now. The 28-year-old will be the top point guard on the market after spending nine years in Memphis. Begley says Grizzlies part-owner Justin Timberlake will appear in a video presentation trying to convince Conley to remain with the team. Begley presents the item as possible good news for the Knicks, but it’s equally positive for all the teams planning to pursue Conley, and very negative for Memphis, which is hoping to keep the core of its perennial playoff team together. The Grizzlies still have the advantage of being able to offer Conley a five-year contract worth about $124MM, while other teams are limited to four years in the neighborhood of $92MM.

There’s more news from the Western Conference:

The Suns will negotiate with 2014 first-round pick Bogdan Bogdanovic now that his Turkish League season is over, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. This is the last season that Bogdanovic would be required to sign a rookie contract that would give him a salary of about $5.7MM over four years. If he waits until next offseason, Bogdanovic is free to negotiate any amount, starting with his draft year’s rookie salary scale.
A request for $22.7MM in public funding for renovations to Utah’s Vivant Arena was approved today by the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, writes Jasen Lee of The Deseret News. The money, which will be awarded though tax increment financing over the next 25 years, makes up 18% of the total cost of the proposed $125MM project. It will include safety and security improvements, heating and air conditioning upgrades, a new solar panel system and plaza, concession, seating and premium suite improvements.
The Mavericks are planning a free agent camp June 22nd with Arnett Moultrie, Bobby Brown, Dominic McGuire and Nick Minnerath among the players invited, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who played two games for the Knicks this season, also received an invitation but has not confirmed that he will attend the camp (Twitter link).
The Spurs will hold a free agent camp Wednesday, Kennedy tweets, with Chris Copeland, Adonis Thomas, Victor Rudd, Scott Suggs, J.J. O’Brien and Darius Adams among those expected to attend.
The Timberwolves have had workouts for several veteran free agents, including Jimmer Fredette, Phil Pressey, Marquis Teague, Ryan Boatright, Mike James, Ra’shad James, Mark Lyons and Aaron Craft, tweets international journalist David Pick.

Suns Notes: Ellenson, Bogdanovic, Qi

May 23rd, 2016 at 7:55pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Henry Ellenson is an option for the Suns at No.4 or No. 13 should he fall that far and Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic details how the 6’11” power forward turned himself into a perimeter threat. “I wasn’t always taller than [opponents]…I played point guard all the way up to eighth grade,” Ellenson said. Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors profiled the big man prior to the draft lottery.

Here’s more out of Phoenix:

Phoenix continues to monitor Bogdan Bogdanovic with the hopes of him joining the team next season, Coro writes in a separate piece. “Physically, he keeps getting stronger,” Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly said of the 2014 first round pick. “His feel for the game keeps improving.”
The Suns worked out power forward Zhou Qi from China and former Arizona State center Eric Jacobsen over the weekend, Coro writes in a separate piece. Qi might be an ideal draft-and-stash candidate, Coro adds, but it’s undetermined whether Qi would be interested in such an arrangement.
The Suns will work out six more players today. Michael Bryson, Stacy Davis, Demetrius Jackson, Damion Lee, Abdel Nader and Retin Obasohan will all be in Phoenix, per the team’s Twitter feed.

Suns Notes: Morris, Bogdanovic, Booker

April 1st, 2016 at 5:11pm CST by Arthur Hill

A lack of “trust” was the issue that made Markieff Morris want to leave Phoenix, relays Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. Morris had been unhappy with the Suns since his brother Marcus Morris was traded to the Pistons last offseason. Markieff Morris finally got his wish to go elsewhere at the trade deadline when Phoenix shipped him to Washington. “I always felt free to play,” Markieff Morris said of his time with the Suns. “It was just tough to do certain things with no trust and play for people that you really don’t trust.” He refused to identify who it was that he didn’t trust but said he’s happy to be with the Wizards.

There’s more news out of Phoenix:

The Suns appear serious about adding Bogdan Bogdanovic to the team next season, according to Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com. Bogdanovic has played overseas since Phoenix selected him in the first round of the 2014 draft. He spent this season with Fenerbahce Ulker, averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in the Euroleague. “We’re going to go meet with Bogdan after the season; he does have ways to get out of his contract with Fenerbahce and come to the NBA,” Suns GM Ryan McDonough said of the 6’6″ swingman. “We’ll present a plan for him about how we kind of envision his role with the Suns.”
Rookie Devin Booker has been the best part of another nonplayoff season in Phoenix, writes Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic. The 13th overall pick in last year’s draft, Booker has been such a surprise that he might change the Suns’ long-term planning. Bickley speculates that Phoenix may make renewed efforts to trade point guard Eric Bledsoe or go back to a three-guard lineup. Booker remained patient as he waited for his opportunity with the Suns to arrive. “At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t playing at all,” he said. “I used that as motivation to stay in the gym, work on my game, attack what people thought were my weaknesses. … It’s unfortunate that a couple of injuries happened, but that opened up my opportunity to play. And once I got that chance, I never wanted to come off the bench or play limited minutes again. I would’ve never thought this would’ve come at such a young age. But this has always been my ultimate goal.”

Suns Want To Sign Bogdan Bogdanovic This Summer

March 28th, 2016 at 2:13pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Suns are serious about signing draft-and-stash prospect Bogdan Bogdanovic for next season, reports international journalist David Pick (Twitter link). This summer will be the last that NBA’s rookie scale would apply to the shooting guard whom the Suns picked 27th overall in 2014. Delaying a signing until the summer of 2017 or later would give the sides more latitude to work out mutually acceptable terms, but it could be more costly for Phoenix, so it’s no surprise to see the team intent on making a deal happen this year.

The 23-year-old native of Serbia has averaged 10.7 points in 27.3 minutes per game for Turkey’s Fenerbahce Ulker in Euroleague action this season, with 14.8 points in 26.3 minutes per contest in domestic league play. Most encouragingly, he’s hit 45.2% of his 3-point attempts for Fenerbahce overall.

Phoenix already has the sharpshooting Devin Booker in its backcourt along with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, but the Suns are just 20-53, in part because of injuries, and they could use an injection of talent in just about any form. The Suns are poised to enter the draft lottery in the third position, as our reverse standings show, giving them a 15.6% shot at the No. 1 pick.

A rookie scale contract for Bogdanovic would pay $1,196,040 next season if the Suns signed him for the standard 120% of scale. However, the buyout in his pact with Fenerbahce is reportedly 1 million euros, the equivalent of about $1.12MM. Phoenix can pay only $650K without the buyout affecting his NBA contract, so the sides will have to get creative. The Suns can structure their deal with Bogdanovic so he gets only $797,360, equal to 80% of scale, and add as much as that same amount on top of the $650K they’re otherwise permitted to pay toward the buyout.

Bogdanovic is not to be confused with Bojan Bogdanovic of the Nets, a 26-year-old from Herzegovina who’s in his second NBA season.

Pacific Notes: Bogdanovic, Looney, Majerle

February 2nd, 2016 at 8:31pm CST by Eddie Scarito

With the continued struggles of the Lakers, there is a danger that the losing may have a negative long-term impact on the team’s younger players, something the coaching staff will try to stave off, Baxter Holmes of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes. “I think the challenge for our young guys is to stay the course,” said coach Byron Scott. “Continue to think positive. Continue to work their butts off and good things will happen. But if we can’t figure it out from a mental standpoint at times too, then we’re going to continue to struggle. And I think we’ve all talked about the lack of experience being a factor, and sometimes the game is a little too fast for some of our guys; and they’ve just got to step that part up, and it’s going to take time.”

Here’s more from the Pacific Division:

The cap hold for Suns 2014 first-rounder Bogdan Bogdanovic will impact the team’s salary cap in July, notes Bobby Marks of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports in his trade deadline primer for the team. Phoenix can clear the hold, worth $963K by officially notifying the league that it doesn’t intend to sign Bogdanovic, but if the Suns did so, he would be ineligible to ink a deal with the team during the 2016/17 season, Marks notes.
Former Suns player Dan Majerle, who was an assistant coach with the franchise during Alvin Gentry‘s tenure, doesn’t expect to be under consideration for the team’s vacant coaching position, Richard Obert of The Arizona Republic relays. Majerle, who is the head coach at Grand Canyon University, when asked if he had a shot at the Suns’ post, said, “We’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it. I doubt that we will. But if it happens, I’ll have to sit down and think about what’s best for me. I’m extremely happy being at GCU. I’ve got no reservations or no thoughts about leaving here.“
The Warriors have recalled Kevon Looney from their D-League affiliate, the team announced in a press release. Looney has appeared in seven games with Santa Cruz this season, notching averages of 9.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per contest.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson To Miss 3 Months

December 28th, 2015 at 11:38am CST by Eddie Scarito

DECEMBER 28th, 11:38am: In an article he penned for Sportsblog.com, Hollis-Jefferson indicated that he will remain out of action until after the All-Star break. “Physically, I’m feeling better. Each day I’m getting one step closer to fully walking and doing things on my own. It’s looking like I’ll be able to get back on the court after All-Star break, probably around the beginning of March,” wrote Hollis-Jefferson.

DECEMBER 9th, 11:36am: Nets team doctor Martin O’Malley estimates it will take Hollis-Jefferson eight to 10 weeks to return to the court, as O’Malley said in a statement the team sent out as part of a press release announcing that Hollis-Jefferson underwent surgery this morning. The procedure was to repair a fracture of the posterior talus in his right ankle, O’Malley also said.

DECEMBER 8th, 5:55pm: Nets rookie swingman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson suffered a non-displaced fracture of the posterior talus in his right ankle during practice on Sunday and he is scheduled for surgery later this week, Andy Vasquez of The Record notes (Twitter link). A timetable for the player’s return will be provided after the procedure is completed, though coach Lionel Hollins indicated Hollis-Jefferson would be out for approximately 10 weeks during his pregame press briefing this evening, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com relays (via Twitter).

This news is certainly unwelcome for Brooklyn, whose 5-15 start has called into question Hollins’ job security, though the team quickly shot down the reports that it was seeking a replacement for the coach. Hollis-Jefferson’s averages of 5.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game aren’t eye-popping, but the rookie has shown excellent promise and tremendous energy during his limited court time thus far. While Hollis-Jefferson’s continued presence over the coming months wasn’t likely going to improve the team’s winning percentage dramatically, any loss of development time for the young player will certainly impact the team down the line given its distinct lack of draft picks over the next few seasons.

The absence of the 20-year-old will likely mean increased minutes for Bojan Bogdanovic, who is averaging 8.1 points on 43.1% shooting this season. Bogdanovic has been rumored to be on the trading block, though other reports have disputed that. The loss of Hollis-Jefferson could also impact the status of Joe Johnson, whom an ESPN.com panel opined was a prime candidate to reach a buyout arrangement with the Nets this season. With Brooklyn’s depth at the wing now compromised, it could quash any potential moves involving Johnson or Bogdanovic for the time being, though that is merely my speculation.

Pacific Notes: Lakers, Bogdanovic, Draft

May 26th, 2015 at 6:16pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak indicated that he hasn’t heard any offers enticing enough to sway him to deal away the No. 2 overall pick this June, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News writes. “It would have to be a heck of an opportunity for us to consider doing something like that,” Kupchak said. “You have to weigh it against who you would get as the second pick. We’re a little bit impatient. So if you came across something that made your team better quicker, that would probably be a veteran. That’s something you would consider.”

But the GM also noted that even acquiring a solid veteran might not be enough for the franchise to make a trade, Holmes adds. “Something could be said for having the No. 2 pick in terms of building going forward,” Kupchak said. “You know you’re going to get a really good player. You know you’re going to get a player under a contract that you’ll be able to control for at least five years at a reasonable amount before you have to consider an extension. Those are pluses in addition to getting a heck of a talent.”

Here’s more from the Pacific Division:

Suns draft-and-stash pick Bogdan Bogdanovic won’t be making the jump to the NBA next season, and he will remain with the Turkish club Fenerbahce, David Pick of Eurobasket.com tweets. The 22-year-old was the No. 27 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
The Lakers held workouts today for T.J. McConnell (Arizona), Bryce Dejean-Jones (Iowa State), Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga), Dez Wells (Maryland), Seth Tuttle (Northern Iowa), and Maurice Walker (Minnesota), Baxter Holmes of ESPNLosAngeles.com relays.
Wyoming big man Larry Nance Jr. has a workout with the Lakers scheduled for next week, Robert Gagliardi of WyomingCowboysBlog.com reports.
The Suns worked out Askia Booker (Colorado), Branden Dawson (Michigan State), Kendall Gray (Delaware State), Tyler Harvey (Eastern Washington), Le’Bryan Nash (Oklahoma State), and Chris Walker (Florida), Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic relays (via Twitter).

Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Bogdanovic, Sixers

January 3rd, 2015 at 1:54pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Celtics coach Brad Stevens didn’t want to delve into Rajon Rondo‘s comments that he “hadn’t played defense in a couple of years,” prior to Friday night’s contest against the Mavs and his former player, Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com writes. “I don’t know the context of the discussion, I don’t know the seriousness of his answer,” Stevens said. “So I don’t really have a reaction to that. He’s a really good player and I’m certainly not here right now to be critical or analytical of his comments to the media. Like everybody else, I’m excited for him that he has a great opportunity in Dallas.”

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

It is in the Knicks‘ best interest to shut Carmelo Anthony down for the remainder of the season, Filip Bondy of The New York Daily News opines. Since New York’s season is already lost, it makes little sense to risk chronic knee issues for ‘Melo, plus sitting its best player will aid the franchise in securing a higher draft pick, Bondy notes.
The Sixers‘ Luc Mbah a Moute is much more than just a mentor for Joel Embiid; he’s quickly become the player that holds Philadelphia’s locker room together with his leadership, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Nets rookie Bojan Bogdanovic has been an afterthought in coach Lionel Hollins‘ rotation the past month thanks to the strong play of Sergey Karasev, Roderick Boone of Newsday writes. “It’s not what Bogey’s [Bogdanovic] done, it’s what he’s not done,” Hollins said. “You’ve got to play and compete, and go out and play well, and Karasev has shown me a lot in practice. We were struggling, I gave him a shot and he played well. It’s also a product of Bogey just hitting a wall and just not being aggressive.“
If Nerlens Noel projects as a center long term, it could throw a wrench into the Sixers‘ plans to pair him and Embiid together in their frontcourt, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com writes. “Look at what a lot of teams do with their four men,” coach Brett Brown said. “They’re away from the basket. Most of the fours nowadays can almost shoot threes. If that’s your world, naturally you’re pulled away from the basket. That was Nerlens’ problem when we played him at four. He’s so used to just running to the rim, he’d lose Dirk Nowitzki, he’d lose perimeter people. It wasn’t natural for him. Maybe he can guard a five player [better]. I don’t know. I think it’s all a work in progress. But he really is a presence at the rim.“

And-Ones: Internationals, Crowder, Cavs

November 12th, 2014 at 10:55pm CST by Alex Lee

With Rockets and Timberwolves playing below the border and the Blazers scoring 111 points in the first three quarters in Denver, the NBA’s Wednesday night has been anything but normal. As the final quarter ticks away in Mexico City, let’s look at some news and notes from around the league:

David Pick of Basketball Insiders includes Vasilije Micic (Sixers), Alex Abrines (Thunder), Davis Bertans (Spurs), Dario Saric (Sixers), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (Suns) on his list of six international draft-and-stashes who could contribute in the NBA now.
In a chat with readers, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News calls the Mavericks‘ Jae Crowder a “keeper in this league” on a good team. Crowder will hit restricted free agency after this season, but has not really gotten an opportunity to put his skills on display thus far in his third NBA season, as Sefko adds.
Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders provides an extensive evaluation of how the Cavaliers have handled building around their trio of stars, for this and the coming years. As Duncan points out, the Anderson Varejao extension now looks a bit riskier considering the team’s defense struggles. Duncan opines that locking up fellow big Tristan Thompson might be shrewd since the Varejao deal has limited any other options.

Bogdan Bogdanovic Signs To Play In Turkey

July 11th, 2014 at 10:14pm CST by Chuck Myron

10:14pm: Bogdanovic’s NBA escape clause for the summer of 2016 involves a buyout of 1 million euros, according to Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops.net. That’s the equivalent of more than $1.36MM at today’s exchange rate.

11:08am: Suns first-round pick Bogdan Bogdanovic has officially signed with Fenerbahce Ulker of Turkey, the team announced on Twitter (hat tip to Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). NTV Spor’s Ismail Senol originally reported the deal (Twitter link; translation via Carchia), which runs four years. It’s worth $4.6MM, according to Croatia’s Sportske Novosti (hat tip to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic). The 21-year-old shooting guard, who was the 27th overall pick last month, won’t have a chance to get out of the contract and join the NBA for two years, as David Pick of Eurobasket.com reported earlier.

The Suns and Bogdanovic agreed in writing earlier this week that he wouldn’t sign an NBA contract this year, so his $930,500 cap hit was removed from Phoenix’s books. The Suns also drafted T.J. Warren 14th overall, Tyler Ennis 18th overall, and Alec Brown 50th overall this year, and there was little chance from the beginning that all of them would play for the team as rookies in 2014/15.

Bogdanovic played with Serbia’s KK Partizan last season and averaged 14.9 points and 3.7 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. If he doesn’t come to the NBA in 2016, he’ll no longer be bound by the rookie scale, so if he continues to develop, he might be in line for much more than NBA rookies are accustomed to, as Bulls prospect Nikola Mirotic seemingly will be. Bogdanovic is not to be confused with Nets draft-and-stash prospect Bojan Bogdanovic.