How the Nets got him: The Nets purchased the 31st pick in the 2011 draft from the Timberwolves and selected Bogdanovic. He made his NBA debut last year after securing a buyout from Turkish club Fenerbahce Ulker.
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Strengths: Outside shooting, cutting.
Weaknesses: Shot creation, defense.
Big Stat: 42.9%. Bogdanovic shot 42.9% from three-point range after the All-Star Break.
2014-15 recap: Bogdanovic began last season as the starter before falling out of favor with Lionel Hollins, who filled his starting spot with Sergey Karasev, Alan Anderson, and Markel Brown. He improved markedly after the All-Star Break, averaging 11.6 points per game with shooting splits of .513-.429-.750.
In need of shooting on the wing, Hollins promoted Bogdanovic back to the starting lineup for games 2 through 6 of the first-round playoff series against the Hawks. While his playoff stats were unimpressive – 10.3 points per game on 39% shooting, 33% from deep — he did make some timely shots in his first NBA playoff action.
2015-16 outlook: With Deron Williams (37% on three-pointers last year) and Alan Anderson (35%) replaced by Jarrett Jack (27%) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (20% on college threes over two years), the Nets’ need for shooting will be more acute. Expect Bogdanovic to match or exceed the 34 minutes per game he played against the Hawks.
What a good season for Bogdanovic would look like: Bogdanovic earns a starting spot in camp and never relinquishes it. He flourishes in a greater role on offense, improving on his 35.5% three-point clip from last season, continues to cut well, and occasionally creates for his teammates, making good on those Paul Pierce comparisons.
What a bad season for Bogdanovic would look like: His begins the year in a slump, the Nets sputter to a slow start, and Hollins yanks him from the starting lineup. His confidence suffers, and he is never able to play his way out of Hollins’ doghouse.
