Nets lower price on Lopez, choosing best deal for Bogdanovic

(AP Photo/Matt Marton) by Jaymz Clements Resolution: Get a fresh cut, take over the world It’s been a weird 2016 for Swaggy B aka Bojan Bogdanovic. He took Croatia to the Rio Olympic quarterfinals, and led all players in scoring with 25 points per game. Bogdanovic was so hot in Rio that many speculated that this might be year he finally made good on his NBA potential. Under Atkinson, he spent the almost all of 2016 portion of the 2016-2017 season as the Nets' starter… until he was demoted from the starting lineup against Charlotte in Brooklyn’s final home game of the year. In that game, he promptly cruised to 26 points and Brooklyn won -- coincidence? Oh, also, there was the time in the offseason when he had to escape Turkey as a military coup was taking place. Weird, right? Either way, Bojan seemed to solidify his role on Atkinson’s new-look Nets and in December, Bogdanovic averaged 15.1 points per game on 43.6% shooting and, importantly, hoisted five three-pointers a game, making 38.5% of them as well. Even more importantly, his free throw rate has skyrocketed, more than doubling from 1.7 attempts to 3.6 this year. That’s crucial to Bogdanovic's game and his continuing relevance in the NBA as he averaged over 9 FTA per game in Rio. So, then, what does Bogdanovic need to wish for in 2017? The easy answer is to focus on capturing some of that Swaggy B Olympic scoring and free-throw-gaining chutzpah. It’d also be nice if he worked on improving as a secondary ball-handler as the Nets have run into plenty of issues without Lin at times, leaning on Bogdanovic hard during the offense-creation -- but those are the obvious answers. Doesn’t it feel like a new look might change Swaggy B’s prospects? If there’s one thing holding Bojan back, it’s his hair: a feathery dusting of thinning-brown thatch. It looks like the hair of a Greek shipping scion. It looks like the hair of an accountant who specializes in small business taxation. It looks like the hair of a politician with a past that will come back to haunt him. So… shave it. It’s thinning, so just, y’know, be done with it already. If Bojan shaved his head and maybe grew his beard out, suddenly he becomes a basketball-playing version of a second-tier henchman Liam Neeson fights in Taken 4... now that's a Swaggy B no-one would ‘eff with. So there’s your real resolution, Bojan: shave that bonce. It means a fresh look, a fresh start, a fresh injection of badassery, and no one will ever screw with you again -- well, apart from maybe Liam Neeson. — (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Nets lower price on Lopez, choosing best deal for Bogdanovic

Now that we’re past the DeMarcus Cousins frenzy, it’s about time for rumors on the Brooklyn Nets front to ramp up — and, according to some sources, they are.

First, Bojan Bogdanovic’s market has finally begun to heat up, says Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Bogdanovic will be a restricted free agent this summer and those lining up for the Croatian’s services for the playoffs (and potentially beyond) have made their offers. Wojnarowski has also suggested that the Nets are a bit closer to moving the guard/forward, but are waiting to find the best available deal.

Teams pursuing Brooklyn’s Bojan Bogdanovic suggest they’re ramping up on offers, process moving closer to Nets choosing best available deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2017

Bogdanovic is making about 3.5 million this season and is set for a huge payday this summer, with or without the Nets. The shooter that YES Network’s Ian Eagle has affectionately nicknamed “Captain Corner” is averaging 14.2 points per game and had been linked as a potential target for the Washington Wizards.

Elsewhere, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported earlier today that the Nets have significantly lowered their asking price on Brook Lopez from two first rounders to just one and a second round selection. Although the rumors around the Nets’ franchise center have moved a bit slower this season, many have suggested that the Sacramento Kings’ return on Cousins has changed the market for all big men.

The price on Brook Lopez has dropped, league sources say. Instead of two first-rounders, word is Brooklyn would accept a first and a second.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 21, 2017

Peter Vecsey has suggested over the last few days that the Indiana Pacers are interested in Lopez’s services next to Paul George, but the team has to little to offer other than a salary dump and this year’s 2017 first rounder.

The trade deadline is Thursday, February 23rd at 3 PM EST.