NBA: Top 5 moves that raised teams' championship ceilings

NBA: Top 5 moves that raised teams’ title ceilings

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball pressured by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3 of 7

Atlanta Hawks Bogdan Bogdanovic (Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports) /

No. 5: Bogdan Bogdanovic signs with the Atlanta Hawks

There was a big debacle regarding the Bogdanovic signing this offseason. The Kings tried to sign and trade him to the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski and NBA.com.

However, the trade ultimately was deemed illegal by the league and with the Kings already hinting that they were willing to move on, the Hawks swooped in (no pun intended) and offered him a 4-year, $72 million contract in restricted free agency. After the Kings decided not to match that offer, the Hawks obtained a bona fide shooter that could either start or come off the bench.

This season, Bogdanovic upped his effective field goal percentage to 60.2, an elite figure that ranks him 8th amongst all guards this season in that metric.

In addition, he has absolutely come up huge in the playoffs, averaging at least 30 minutes per game in each of the Hawks’ three series so far, and stepping in valiantly in Trae’s absence.

This fifth spot was close between my honorable mention of the Hawks hiring coach Nate McMillan, or this signing, but the Hawks’ turnaround coincided with Bogdanovic returning to action. The Hawks went 30-14 in games Bogdanovic played in this season, including the 8-game winning streak early in the season that helped them right the ship and come ever so close to the NBA Finals.

Home/NBA News