Debby Wong – USA Today Sports Images
Right before the NBA Trade Deadline in February of last season, the Brooklyn Nets were reportedly receiving a ton of calls inquiring about potentially giving up Mirza Teletovic, with Teletovic receiving the most interest of any Nets player on their roster from last season. The Nets have also reportedly been listening to calls about Bojan Bogdanovic, whose rights they acquired this summer.
Teletovic will return for his second season with the Nets this year, while Bogdanovic will remain in Turkey. Bogdanovic staying overseas isn’t the ideal situation for Brooklyn regarding the 24-year-old. Earlier this summer, Brooklyn tried to agree to a buyout with his team in Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker, but were unable to do so.
Considering that Teletovic and Bogdanovic are still with the Nets, though, it’s pretty clear that the organization considers these two part of their future. As both players have shown at Eurobasket 2013, they have potential that the Nets value. Even Teletovic, whom I’ve criticized on numerous occasions, has done some impressive things.
Playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina before the team was eliminated, Teletovic did some nice things, despite having an overall inefficient performance. In five games he averaged 21 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, though he shot just 38.6 percent from the floor. He did manage an impressive 34.9 percent three-point percentage and an 81.5 percent free-throw percentage at the tournament.
Croatia and Bogdanovic are still alive in the tournament, though, and the 24-year-old has been impressive. In seven games he has averaged 16.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three. Bogdanovic has also been consistent, scoring in double figures in all seven games that have been played.
Both European players are still developing and have obvious flaws, but they also have obvious potential. Though the Nets added a ton of talent this off-season, it’s talent that might not be in the league much longer. Because of that, guys like Teletovic and Bogdanovic are incredibly important to the franchise.
Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.
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