Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal?

There’s a bit of a conflict here. Bogdanovic is having a career year. Why should the Spurs want him? Isn’t the point here to turn their focus to the future?

Sure. The Spurs are still looking ahead here. Griffin has fallen out of Atlanta’s rotation this year, but he was outstanding as a rookie in 2022-23. Griffin could be one of the best shooters in the NBA for years to come, and he’s got defensive value as well. Meanwhile, they’re also landing a protected first that’s certain to convey. The Spurs can figure out what to do with Bogdanovic later – in all likelihood, they could move him next summer.

Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal?

Bogdanovic may be having a career year. Johnson is still a better fit for this roster. With Young on the roster, the Hawks need players with defensive value. Bogdanovic doesn’t offer much on that end of the floor.

By contrast, Johnson is solid. He’s also five years younger. The Hawks are getting the player with the most value in this deal. Since they don’t seem to be using Griffin anyway, that alone justifies this trade. Besides, they still have their pick in 2024 as well. Johnson provides much of the floor spacing and shot creation that Bogdanovic does while adding value on the other end of the floor. Sometimes, a contending team can justify acquiring a young player, too.