There was talk of Panathinaikos. Partizan fans dreamed of a homecoming.
Instead, Bogdan Bogdanović made the only logical choice: staying in the NBA.
He may no longer be the player he was five years ago. He doesn’t have to be.
At 33, Bogdanović remains one of Europe’s smartest basketball players. His shooting, feel for the game and willingness to adapt have always been among his greatest strengths.
Before discussing tactics, spacing or shooting, one question comes first.
Can Bogdanović Stay Healthy?
That hasn’t been easy in recent years. Hamstring issues have lingered for quite some time, while hip and knee problems have also interrupted his rhythm. Fortunately, none of them turned into the kind of long-term injury that sidelines a player for months, but at 33, the wear and tear of a long career – and years of relentless work – is beginning to show.
Last season with the Clippers, Bogdanović found himself in an unfamiliar position: not playing even when he was healthy. Minor injuries repeatedly disrupted his rhythm, opportunities came sparingly, and the numbers reflected it. He averaged just 7.4 points in 19.7 minutes while shooting 39 percent from the field in only 23 games.
The upcoming season will be Bogdanović’s tenth in the NBA, which also explains part of his decision to remain in the United States. Reaching the ten-year mark qualifies a player for the NBA’s maximum pension benefits through the players’ union – a significant milestone for any veteran.
Role In Houston
He now joins a Houston team that, despite winning 52 regular-season games, ended the season feeling disappointed. The Rockets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by an injury-hit Lakers team that was without Luka Dončić.
Bogdanović’s primary task will be to improve Houston’s spacing. As a respected three-point threat with deep range, he should create additional room for Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson to operate.
The Rockets shot a respectable 36.4 percent from beyond the arc last season, but they ranked among the league’s weaker teams in both three-point attempts and makes, averaging just 11.5 made threes per game.
Bogdanović offers much more than spot-up shooting. He can come off screens, shoot off the dribble and serve as a secondary playmaker. Those were precisely the elements Houston lacked during this year’s postseason.
One More Chance
Before any of that happens, however, the biggest question is how large his role will actually be. More roster changes are expected before training camp, but all signs point to Bogdanović getting another fresh start.
If he rediscovers the form that once made him one of the NBA’s premier sixth men, another NBA contract will almost certainly follow.
If not, the long-awaited return to Europe may finally become a reality next summer.