Photo: AP
Written by Vedran Ćavara
Most of us are familiar with Andrew Bogut, the 27 year-old Croatian-Australian center playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Bogut was drafted with the #1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft and has since played exclusively for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Throughout his playing career, Bogut has played with 2004 NBA All-Star Michael Redd and Croatian legend Toni Kukoč. Only twice during his tenure in the NBA have Bogut and the Bucks made it to the NBA playoffs, and never further than the first round. To his credit, nearly every year that he has played, Bogut has flirted with a double-double. Furthermore, he has become a force on the defensive end, blocking shots and getting defensive rebounds like his life depended on it; intelligently positioning himself to draw offensive fouls. Bogut has been an active citizen in the community, contributing his time to charities and local Croatian functions and always approachable and happy to sign an autograph.
Because of those qualities, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to build their franchise around him, inking him to a five year, $60 million extension in 2008. Two years ago, the Bucks drafted PG Brandon Jennings in hopes of forming an all-star tandem.
For reasons beyond his control, Bogut has been receiving serious injuries during the past few seasons. During the 2008-2009 season, he only amassed a grand total of 36 games due to a lower back injury. The following season he was having the best statistical year of his career, averaging 15.9 points and 10.1 rebounds, before his season was cut short by a freak injury as he landed on his right elbow after losing his balance on a dunk.
Gruesome injury to Bogut during the 2009-10 season
The injury sidelined him for the rest of that season and his production and range of motion was severely limited the following campaign. He had surgery in April of 2011 to remove a bone chip in his elbow and has only played twelve games before breaking his ankle this year.
If one looks at the vast amount of injuries Bogut has sustained, you’d think he was a crash test dummy, not a center in the NBA. “I can’t control landing on someone’s foot and breaking my ankle. I can’t control coming off the rim and landing on my elbow. If I had tucked my elbow in and landed on my shoulder, I’m fine,” Bogut said.
Simply put, these are things beyond his control. Unfortunately, even things you can’t control can force a big change in your life, and Bogut certainly isn’t naive enough to believe that things don’t change. The Milwaukee Bucks are floundering, two games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference, and he is still owed $27 million over the next two seasons. Combine that with the fact that the NBA trade deadline is approaching, and a player of his magnitude interests a lot of teams. The Bucks seem to have identified Brandon Jennings as the new cornerstone of their franchise. Bogues may be left out in the dark.
Is he oft injured? Absolutely. However, when he is on the floor, he is a difference maker, offensively and defensively, and I argue, should have been an all-star at least once in his career, if not Dwight Howard being the manchild that he is.
The Bucks have never fielded calls for Bogut as a trade commodity, but the time seemingly is now. With his injuries and looming cap figure over the next few seasons, Bucks GM John Hammond is shopping Bogues. Bogut is still young at 27, an established low post presence and a good locker room guy and vocal leader. Whether he returns this season to help someone is beyond anyone’s knowledge, but you better believe there are teams interested in his services.
On a local sports radio station’s talk show, a Milwaukee Bucks “insider” said the odds that Bogut is traded before next week’s deadline are 70/30.
The most talked about trade locally is a three-team blockbuster deal. Pau Gasol has been often mentioned in talks between the Lakers and Orlando Magic. A supposed deal would see Bogut to the Magic, Dwight Howard to the Lakers and Gasol to the Bucks. Whether this actually happens and what other players might be involved, no one knows for sure until next week.
Bogut, however, seems aware and realistic with the entire process: “It is a business and everyone is looking to get better; teams are looking to get better, If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. When I first came into the league I was never naive enough to think I was going to be somewhere my whole career,” Bogut said. “It would be nice, but at the same time what’s more likely is you’re going to get bounced around at one point in your career and you’ve got to deal with it”, Bogut said in a recent article on jsonline.com
Bogut is an established vet, a good player and a good ambassador for the game and seemingly a stand up guy. Wherever he lands from this date forward, as a Croat, I will support him and follow him wherever he goes. My only hope is that he doesn’t rush with his injury, because as he said about his broken ankle, “This is a little different. When it’s a wheel carrying 120 kilos (270 pounds) you’ve got to be careful with it.”
Take care big fella, myself and the rest of Croatian sports fans will be watching.
Nice post IvicA!
I’ve always liked the Warriors and man was I getting excited reading that shit! Im sold!
If I am Bucks fan I would not be disappointed with this trade. Bucks got rid of Jackson, who they no longer wanted and they got rid of porcelain doll Bogut, a guy that breaks down more than an 1982 Zastava. They traded a guy they didn’t want and a guy that never was healthy……what am I missing here?
That said, a healthy porcelain doll Bogut can help Golden St. At best, he is the fourth option on a team. So, you don’t have to run plays for him since he is a garbage man and can score of mistakes and rebounds.
Genius trade by Golden State.
Golden State was going nowhere fast, yet never bad enough to get a top-5 pick to ever make any difference in talent on their roster. They were stuck on a treadmill by never making the playoffs, and finishing every year with the 10th or 11th pick in the draft. They had to do something like this trade, or just simply blow the team up.
With this trade, they get rid of a redundant headcase player in Ellis and get back a top center in the league in Bogut. Stephen Jackson is an expiring contract next season, so that gives them options in future trades (if they decide not to buy him out). They already have an excellent PG in Curry, and the best shooter in the league in Klay Thompson…both of whom should spread the floor very well for Lee and Bogut.
What’s even more genius about this trade is that Golden State owes Utah their first round pick this year UNLESS it is a top-7 pick. So, if Golden State finishes in the bottom seven this year, they will keep their pick in this deep draft. There is no doubt that they will shut Bogut down for the rest of the season, and maybe even Steph Curry as well, to try and lose as many games as possible. There are a lot of quality swingmen in this draft they could use to compliment that new frontcourt.
C: Bogut
PF: Lee
SF: 2012 pick
SG: Klay
PG: Curry
Looks like a very well balanced lineup. The same cannot be said about Milwaukee with their midget backcourt of Ellis and Jennings. Skiles will kill himself trying to play defense with that backcourt. Offensively, it doesn’t help that both Jennings and Ellis lead the league in MISSED field goals on the season. But I could still see them making the playoffs this year (even though it will be moot and not benefit them in the long run).
The only risk for Golden State are any injuries to Bogut, but he managed to play an average of 65 games per season, so it’s worth it, especially for that balanced lineup. If it doesn’t work out, Bogut’s contract is not long and they can blow it up knowing that they tried. How Milwaukee will deal with a defenceless backcourt, and gaping offensive ineptness in their frontcourt is a much bigger risk. They’re locked into 7th-10th seed in the weak Eastern Conference as their ceiling.
It’s funny because every single Milwaukee Bucks fan is losing their mind in the comments section of every article and on every message board, lol.
You forgot wheel chairs and tight jeans for a 7′ dude that doesn’t know how to shave.
Golden St should start investing in tape, crutches, bandaids, ice and icey hot to keep porcelain doll Bogut’s body together.
Looks like a stupid team took a gamble on Bogut… This years stupid team…… Golden State Warriors..
Its ok though, I’m happy Bogut is on the west side, practically in our backyard now. Looking forward to next season.
Bogut to Golden State Warriors you heard it here
@Ivica,
I agree with you that bogut can “singlehandedly anchor the defense.” Offensively, he is limited. Also, slowed down the Bucks offense.
Tyson Chandler signed a 4 year deal because of his performance for the Mavs last year. Who signed him? One of the “stupid teams” on my list. Knicks have dished out millions of $$$ of loooooooooosers (Stevie Franchise, Carmelo, Amare(after his injuries), Eddy Curry) list goes on and on.
Look at what team appears interested in Bogut…. Golden State Warriors…. have been one of the worst franchises in the last 20 years.
I’m not saying Bogut is mush, I like the guy, not only as a person, but I actually do feel that he’s a top 5 center in this league.
all I am saying is:
1) Bucks would be stupid to give him up for nothing. So there wont be a Bogut for Salmons deal.
2) Any team(insert Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Charlotte, Clippers) that gives the bucks 80% of what Bogut is worth is stupid.
3) Go back into history and show me a player that was traded that was injured.
4) What team would give up a player(s) for a player that is out the rest of the year. It just doesnt make sense.
I just don’t see Bogut traded this week. I also didn’t see George Bush getting a second term, but we all know how that worked out.
what does a porcelain doll go for in the NBA trade market?
Bogut has asked for a trade…according to AM Station 1250 WSSP here in Milwaukee:
Bucks’ C Andrew Bogut just tweeted,
“Rumors are not news; but they sometimes foreshadow news. ERNEST HAMLIN ABBOTT Sep. 15, 1915”
While it’s obviously nothing official, it seems to lend credence to the report that he asked to be moved. What do Bucks’ fans think?
Bogut’s an awesome player and one of a very few out there who can singlehandedly anchor the defense. There are plenty of pseudo-centers out there that make just as much as he does, and cannot do half of what Bogut brings.
$25 Million not worth the risk? Nonsense.
If much older and worse versions of Bogut in either Nene or Tyson Chandler (who also has his share of injuries) can net themselves a $60 million over four years contract, there are PLENTY of teams willing to snag Bogut for less than half that. Bogut’s deal has only two years left. Worst case, you sit through a year of him and that second year becomes a very valuable expiring contract that can be used in a trade.
The REAL problem is that the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t sure whether to rebuild or not, and are asking waaay too much for Bogut right now (and have also insisted that any team that wants to trade for Bogut, must take Stephen Jackson’s contract off the Bucks’ hands as well). Bogut has already entered his prime, and it doesn’t make sense for the Bucks to rebuild with him if they choose that path.
Almost every team in the league would want Bogut. His salary for what he brings is a steal and would solve half the teams in the league’s problems just by showing up. His injuries are his only downfall, but almost any team is still willing to take the 65 games per season that Bogut isn’t injured for a measly $12M. What they’re not prepared to do is take back Stephen Jackson, while giving up picks and prospects on top of that.
To me this wouldn’t be a good trade for anybody except the Lakers. Therefore, I’m all for it.
@sukerlegenda9…….angry???? not at all. Just stating the obvious about him. Let me know if there was anything in my response that is not accurate. Guy is a good player, but hardly what a #1 overall pick should be.
Good job Vedran!
Bogut rumors started to heat up sometime last week. I beleive that there are only a handful of players that are “franchise players” or “untouchable” in the NBA. (Wade, Lebron, DWade, Nowitzki, Durant, Westbrook, Love, Kobe, CP3, and Blake). Ginobli, Parker and Duncan were “untouchable” at one point with the Spurs. But the Spurs would never break up that nucleus. Howard would obviously be on this list, however, he’s requested a trade.
As much as I like Bogut, he was never “untouchable”. Maybe you can make an argument for that year before the “Amere incident.”
Bogut is a class act guy, great in the locker room, a team player. This I agree with. No team would give the Bucks half of what Andrew is worth. Houston would offer Scola and a draft pick. Detroit would offer Monroe and a draft pick. Something of that nature.
Today, only a “stupid team” like the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, or Sacramento Kings would be interested in Bogut.
First, when was the last time an injured player was traded? A borderline all star player was traded when he was injured? I dont remember.
Second, Bogut is owed $25 Million for the next 2 years. Who would even take a gamble.
Third, for the trade to work, salaries would have to match. Meaning, teams would have to give up multiple players or a equally as gifted player for an injured Bogut.
Orlando might not be the smartest team in the league, but no chance they trade Howard for Bogut, especially after the Lakers have offered Bynum and change for Howard.
The earliest a trade would happen would be this summer. I just dont see it happening. 1% chance Bogut is traded.
I do agree with the rest of your article. Maybe a change of scenery would shake that bad luck for Bogut.
I will continue to support Bogut and wish him the best of luck. I don’t see him going anywhere next week.
Istina strikes me as a rather angry individual. Life got you down mon?
A team would have to be crazy to want to trade for porcelain doll Bogut. He breaks down every season. Just look at his history.
His cap # is too high and can’t be relied upon to play a full season.
And the only reason he is in the conversation of deserving a all star spot in previous years is because there are no centers in the NBA anymore. The only reason he would ever get in is by default.
We had the same conversation when the NBA season started and we had some homers coming on here and claiming he is an all star and other such nonsense. All I said is that he is a porcelain doll and would not last the entire season. Last I checked he was a male cheerleader on the Bucks bench.
Thank you very much. It’ll be sad for me to see him as I’ve had a good relationship personally and some what professionally. If he goes to a playoff team and can help them, more power to him and I’ll be extremely happy for him. The franchise he plays for now has been toiling in obscurity and mediocrity for too long, and he stuck by them, thus, he deserves to be a winner.
Nice article Vedran!
I wasn’t aware that Bogut might be traded, but it’s certainly an interesting scenario, and not so bad a deal all around, all things considered. Personally, for selfish fantasy reasons, I’m hoping Beasley makes his way to the LakeShow 🙂