Why Hawks' Bogdanović would be great trade fit for Warriors

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With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Warriors have been active on the phones trying to find a way to better their team this season, while also improving their chances of being a title contender next season and going forward.

Rumors have connected the Warriors to Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon among others, but the latest report that they are interested in Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanović should not come as a surprise.

Bogdanović is the type of player the Warriors currently are searching for, as Golden State needs someone who can be an outside shooting threat, a secondary playmaker, and is, above all, under contract for years to come.

After playing his first three seasons with the Kings, the 28-year-old Bogdanović signed a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason with the Hawks. Before signing with the Hawks, Bogdanović was involved in a sign-and-trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, but the deal was rescinded due to tampering issues.

In his career, the 6-foot-6 wing has averaged over 13 points per game and has shot a solid 37 percent from 3-point range. His first season with the Hawks has been marred by injuries from the onset. However, over the last five games, "Bogi" has hit his stride, making 40 percent of his 3-point attempts and scoring close to his career average.

He is an underrated playmaker from the guard/wing position and can be the type of spark plug the Warriors could use alongside Steph Curry, or even more importantly, have run the show with the second unit when Curry sits.

The complication, of course, would be how much the Warriors will have to give up to acquire Bogdanović. The Hawks are on a tear, rising up the standings in the East, so they assuredly will be looking for players who can help them now, as opposed to solely focusing on draft compensation. Kelly Oubre Jr. is the most obvious target as his salary would come close to matching Bogdanović's, and he could help the Hawks immediately on the wing.

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However, it would most likely take more than Oubre to finish the deal, especially considering there probably are plenty of teams interested in acquiring him. Would the Warriors be willing to give up Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole or Kent Bazemore? Or perhaps a combination of those players along with Oubre? It is possible.

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In the most likely scenario, the Warriors will try to send players on expiring deals to Atlanta, like Oubre and Bazemore, so they do not compromise the future of their roster. But the Hawks will be more inclined to take on young players who are on inexpensive deals and have shown a lot of promise like Paschall or Poole.

The Warriors are interested in re-signing Oubre this offseason. But Oubre would have to choose to return to Golden State and it is becoming likely he will be able to find a deal north of $18 million per season. There is risk in holding on to Oubre for the rest of the season and hoping the stars align for a reunion.

It is no wonder then that president of basketball operations Bob Myers and Co. would be intrigued by Bogdanović, who is locked in for another three years at $18 million annually.

The Warriors will have a lot of big decisions to make before the deadline, but should they strike a reasonable deal with the Hawks for Bogdanović that does not give away too much of their young future, they would be adding a great piece to their present and future puzzle.

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