Nets trade Bogdanovic to Wizards
The Washington Wizards added scoring punch to their bench on the eve of the trade deadline, acquiring swingman Bojan Bogdanovic from the Brooklyn Nets.
Washington also got forward Chris McCullough in the deal and sent a lottery-protected 2017 first-round pick, Marcus Thornton and Andrew Nicholson to Brooklyn. The Wizards announced the trade last night.
Bogdanovic, 27, is averaging a career-high 14.2 points a game as a starter for the struggling Nets. He will add depth to the Wizards, who are in third place in the Eastern Conference.
“Bojan is a very good shooter and a talented overall scorer whose versatility gives us an added dimension as we gear up for the stretch run,” general manager Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. “He is a proven starter that will provide us an added boost off the bench and allow us to be creative with our lineups.”
With the addition of 6-foot-8 Bogdanovic, a pending restricted free agent, Washington continues its push to challenge the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Celtics in the East. The Wizards have won 18 of their past 21 games and surged up the standings after a slow start under new coach Scott Brooks.
It’s the second consecutive season the Wizards traded their first-round pick at the deadline, having acquired power forward Markieff Morris from the Phoenix Suns in 2016.
The deal gives the Nets a second pick in the first round, though they will lose their shot at what could be the No. 1 overall selection since they gave the Celtics the right to swap picks this year in the deal for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. The Nets will get the Celtics’ pick.
In other trade news, a source told the Associated Press that the Atlanta Hawks agreed to send center Tiago Splitter to the Philadelphia 76ers for forward Ersan Ilyasova. The person spoke last night on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been announced.
The Hawks also will send Philadelphia a protected second-round draft pick. The 76ers have the right to swap another second-round pick.
Atlanta will receive scoring help for their front line as they attempt to improve their playoff position. They will return from the All-Star break in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind Toronto.
The 76ers are 13th in the East, ahead of only Orlando and Brooklyn.
Ilyasova has averaged 14.8 points while starting in 40of-53 games this season.
Elsewhere in the NBA — The Cleveland Cavaliers, with an open roster spot and needing frontcourt help, met with Larry Sanders, a free-agent forward who stepped away from the game following the 2014-15 season. The 6-11 Sanders took a physical and met with Cavs coach Tyronn Lue and other team officials. With All-Star forward Kevin Love recovering from knee surgery, the Cavs could use another frontline player. Earlier in the day, the Cavs signed forward Derrick Williams to a second 10-day contract. . .
Clippers guard Chris Paul has been cleared by doctors and could be back in the lineup tonight at Golden State. Paul has been out since Jan. 16 after tearing a ligament in his left thumb and having surgery two days later.