The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz trade deadline 2019: Five potential small forward targets

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles past Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles past Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 15: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 15, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 15: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 15, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Bojan Bogdanovic

I’m kicking things off with one of my favorite players on the list. A few weeks ago, it looked like the Indiana Pacers would be foolish to trade Bojan Bogdanovic. After all, he’s been one of their more consistent players and a key piece to the great season they’d been stringing together. However, after Victor Oladipo went down with a season-ending and career-threatening injury, everything changed for the Pacers.

Now, riding a four-game losing streak, rather than sit tight and continue with what they have, they could very well look to deal one or more of their expiring contracts in order to bring in some talent to salvage this season and set them up will a skilled player or two for the future. One such player that fits that bill is none other than Bojan Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic is a 3-point shooter extraordinaire, converting on 42.9 percent of his attempts this season. Last season he was a similarly solid 40.2 percent. The Jazz already have the ‘Splash Uncles’ in Kyle Korver and Joe Ingles, and Bogey would fit in excellently with them as yet another prolific 3-point threat.

Beyond just perimeter shooting, though, Bogdanovic is a better defender than he gets credit for and is simply capable of scoring the ball in a number of different ways. He’s putting up a career-high 16.1 points per game this season on a well-balanced Pacers team. His work ethic, hustle and constant desire to improve his craft would make him a seamless fit for the Jazz.

If the Pacers deal him, they’ll likely do so in an attempt to package him for some meaningful talent as I alluded to earlier. With that being the case and considering Utah’s trade deadline goals, they’re probably not the ideal partner for such a deal that would benefit both sides. However, if Utah enters the mix of a trade as a third team to help the Pacers use their expiring contracts to net a high talent from another team, then adding Bogey would be far from a consolation prize.

You can never have too much 3-point shooting on one roster, and Bogdanovic would take the Jazz to another level in that area while serving as a prolific small forward option in the starting group or off the bench in a number of different aspects. The probability of this happening is probably low, but it’s a prospect I most certainly like.