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Washington Wizards NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Wizards Acquire Bojan Bogdanovic From Brooklyn Nets

By Ben Mehic

Dec 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards were linked to Bojan Bogdanovic this week and finally completed a deal for the Brooklyn Nets forward on Wednesday.

After days of swimming in a pool of rumors, the Washington Wizards finally pulled the trigger on a deal Wednesday afternoon.

According to numerous reports, including one from the Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards will acquire Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough from the Brooklyn Nets for Andrew Nicholson, Marcus Thornton and a 2017 first round draft pick.

Washington had interest in Bogdanovic for years, but refused to part ways with Kelly Oubre a few seasons ago. Since the team is in position to finish with homecourt advantage, Washington’s pick will be in the 20s.

Averaging over 14 points in 27 minutes per game for the Nets, Bogdanovic has become an under-the-radar scorer in just his third season in the NBA. He’s a career 37 percent 3-point shooter.

Both Nicholson and Thornton were signed by the Wizards in the summer with hopes of adding scoring to the team’s second unit.

Currently, the Wizards’ bench ranks 29th in scoring. Neither Nicholson nor Thornton were a part of Scott Brooks‘ rotation.

The trade will give Washington a desperately needed scoring option, taking pressure off the starters, particularly John Wall and Bradley Beal.

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Bogdanovic, who’s 6-foot-8, is capable of playing both the two and three, allowing for more flexibility with the lineups.

Brooks can now slot Kelly Oubre at the shooting guard position, creating more competition between Trey Burke and Tomas Satoransky to man the backup point guard role.

Known for his outside shooting, Bogdanovic is capable of playing alongside the team’s backcourt.

Wall has gotten the most out of players who make a living hitting shots from the perimeter, so Bogdanovic’s numbers could potentially increase in the nation’s capital.

While he’s not known for his defense, Bogdanovic’s size helps him make up for his lack of quickness.

The Nets’ primary reason for trading Bogdanovic was to obtain another first-round pick. Bogdanovic, 27, will become a restricted free agent in the off-season, so his future with the Nets would’ve been up in the air.

Nicholson has three years left on his $26 million deal. The Nets, who don’t have many high-salaried players on their roster (and likely won’t land a big-time free agent), could afford to take on his regret-filled deal.

Thornton is on a one year, veteran’s minimum deal and played for the Nets two seasons ago.

McCullough was taken 29th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, but hasn’t lived up to expectations. The raw, 6-foot-9 forward will probably spend time in the D-League.

Next: Four Potential Wizards Trade Targets

Washington has now traded two first round picks in a row. Last year, the team dealt their pick for Markieff Morris in order to fill a stretch four void. Grunfeld wanted to capitalize on the team’s recent success and made a move to solidify the team’s bench by acquiring Bogdanovic.

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