Keeping Bojan Bogdanovic is no easy choice for the Pacers

The Indiana Pacers will soon need to decide whether it is worth bringing back Bojan Bogdanovic or let him go in free agency.

The 2019 offseason will be filled with difficult decisions for the Indiana Pacers. Arguably their biggest decision will be whether to re-sign Bojan Bogdanovic or let him hit the open market.

Bogdanovic has made it clear he does not like switching teams, which should give the Pacers some advantage over other teams in the negotiating process, but should the Pacers make re-signing Bogdanovic a top priority?

Reason to keep Bojan Bogdanovic: Shooting and size

While the Pacers ended the 2018-2019 season 5th in three-point percentage, they finished 29th in total makes by the end of the year.

Bogdanovic easily led the Pacers in three-pointers made and three-pointers attempted. He is one of the most lethal shooters in the NBA, which only makes it easier for players like Victor Oladipo to create off the dribble. Losing Bogdanovic would greatly hinder the Pacers offense that already struggles to create three-point shots.

While he was originally brought in to provide shooting for a team that greatly lacked it, Bogdanovic has proven to be a respectable finisher around the rim shooting 64% within the restricted area. This allowed the Pacers to go to him more, especially when Victor Oladipo went down with injury.

Bogdanovic had his two best months of the season during February and March when he was featured as the number one option, shooting above 50% from the field and 40% from three, average over 21 points per a game. Bogdanovic wasn’t doing this against weak competition, either, as March was the most difficult month of the Pacers schedule.

Bogdanovic’s scoring ability isn’t the only aspect of his game he provides value in. While not the best defender for his position, his 6’8, 216-pound frame allows the Pacers to create more flexibility with their lineups.

If the Pacers need to go small, they can use Bogdanovic as a stretch-4 to create more spacing on the court. Losing Bogdanovic would likely mean the Pacers would have less flexibility with their lineups which could create more matchup issues in the 2019-2020 season.

Reason to let go of Bojan Bogdanovic: Cost

Bogdanovic will easily be the Pacers most sought after free agent due to his much-needed skill set of shooting and size. Players like Joe Harris, Ersan İlyasova, Doug McDermott, and JJ Redick are all players who have received significant pay raises for their ability to stretch the floor. 2018-2019 was Bogdanovic’s best season of his career in PPG, 3P%, FG%, and three-pointers made.

This kind of production will likely come at a cost for the Pacers, and suitors are already lining up to clear space for Bogdanovic. While Bogdanovic is a significant piece to the Pacers roster, giving him a potentially large contract will make it difficult to improve the roster.

As seen in the playoffs, the Pacers were extremely limited in creating offense. Even when Victor Oladipo returns from injury, the Pacers will need a second option to create open shots, and if the Pacers overspend to retain Bogdanovic, it will make it more difficult for them to acquire another creator.

Final Verdict: The Pacers should retain Bojan Bogdanovic at the right price

Bogdanovic will likely be costly this summer. He has proven to be a lethal weapon for the Pacers with or without Victor Oladipo on the floor. With his mix of size and scoring ability, the Pacers should look hard to find a way to retain him as long as it is for the right price.