Los Angeles Clippers Suffer Loss of Sharpshooting Guard
The Los Angeles Clippers are set to enter a new chapter once the Kawhi Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors is finalized. Amid the anticipation for the trade, the Clippers also lost veteran sharpshooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic in free agency. Bogdanovic signed a one-year contract to join the Houston Rockets for his 10th NBA season, as per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Bogdanovic played one and a half seasons with the Clippers, averaging 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 53 games. He was plagued by injuries last season, limiting him to just 23 games. The Clippers acquired Bogdanovic midway through the 2024-25 NBA season from the Atlanta Hawks. They parted ways with Terance Mann and Bones Hyland in an effort to improve the roster heading into the playoffs.
Bogdan Bogdanovic Sends Heartfelt Message to Clippers Fans
In a post on Instagram, Bogdan Bogdanovic penned a letter to the Los Angeles Clippers fanbase for nearly two years of support. Bogdanovic also thanked the franchise for the support and opportunity. "Two years. Countless memories, lessons, friendships, and battles. Thank you everyone in the organization for believing in me and making me feel at home from day one," Bogdanovic wrote.
What Comes Next for the Los Angeles Clippers?
The Clippers are set to enter a new chapter with the Kawhi Leonard trade finalized. However, the team will have to adjust to the loss of Bogdan Bogdanovic, who provided crucial sharpshooting off the bench. The team's recent form has been impressive, with a 4-game winning run. Last result: Sacramento Kings 100-101 Los Angeles Clippers (2025-04-12). Recent form (last 5): 4W-0D-1L (WWWWL, most recent first); on a 4-game winning run.
Bogdanovic's departure will be a significant blow to the Clippers' offense, but the team has bolstered their roster with the addition of Kawhi Leonard. The team's head coach, Ty Lue, will have to adjust his strategy to compensate for the loss of Bogdanovic's sharpshooting. The Clippers will have to rely on their other players, such as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, to step up and provide the necessary offense.
The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, have bolstered their roster with the addition of Bogdan Bogdanovic. The team has received a "B" grade from Bleacher Report for the signing, citing Bogdanovic's ability to provide secondary playmaking and 3-point shooting. The Rockets ranked just 25th in the NBA in total 3-pointers made last season, and Bogdanovic's signing should help improve that statistic. Bogdanovic is a career 38.1% shooter from beyond the arc, which should be a welcome addition to the Rockets' offense.
In addition to Bogdanovic, the Rockets also added Marcus Smart on a two-year contract. The team has bolstered their shooting, playmaking, and defense with these two signings, but it remains to be seen how much they have improved overall. The Rockets have a long way to go to compete with the top teams in the NBA, but the addition of Bogdan Bogdanovic is a step in the right direction.