Andrew Bogut is drawing interest from NBA powerhouse teams. Now that the NBA has reached the homestretch, playoff-bound teams are starting to look for other options to shore up their weaknesses. And based on the Aussie's performances in the Australian National Basketball League, Bogut can definitely help some NBA teams.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, numerous NBA title contenders, including the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers, have expressed interest in acquiring Andrew Bogut. Bogut, currently under contract with the Sydney Kings, last played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2017-18 season. The Lakers waived Bogut on January 2018 and the veteran center returned to Australia.
Multiple contenders, including Golden State and Philadelphia, are expected to express interest in upcoming free agent Andrew Bogut. His season has ended in playoffs of Australia’s NBL, where Bogut was league MVP and DPOY, and he will take some time to decide on next team. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 3, 2019
Bogut signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Kings on April 2018. The former number one overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft averaged 11.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 28.7 minutes per game for the Kings. While the Kings were recently ousted from the playoffs, Bogut, however, was named the NBL's Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player.
It seems like his time away from the NBA didn't dull Bogut's skills. He has shown that he still has quite a lot in his tanks. And if the veteran big man's recent performances are a baseline of what he could provide to an NBA contender, then he'll have a place in any playoff-bound team.
A reunion with the Warriors isn't as farfetched as it sounds. While the Warriors traded away the Aussie big man to the Dallas Mavericks in 2016 to clear cap space for Kevin Durant, Bogut has great relationships with the organization and the core group that Bogut has played with when they won their first NBA title are still there. Also, the Dubs, according to recent reports, are looking for a big man.
The Warriors were reportedly interested in acquiring Robin Lopez or DeAndre Jordan if the two centers are waived by their teams. However, the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks never waived Lopez and Jordan while the former All-Star Pau Gasol just recently signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warriors need some sort of insurance in case DeMarcus Cousins and Kevon Looney are hurt. And Bogut can fit the role quite nicely.
The Philadelphia 76ers, more or less, are in the same boat as the Golden State Warriors. The Sixers are quite thin at the 5-spot and could really use someone like Andrew Bogut. The one thing that makes Philadelphia apart from Golden State is that the Sixers have Ben Simmons, a fellow Aussie. Be that as it may, there is no guarantee that Bogut, even if a deal is made with any team, can go back to the NBA.
According to Fox Sports Australia, Bogut's contract with the Kings doesn't have an NBA-out clause and would need the Kings' permission to play elsewhere during the NBL's offseason. And also, Andrew Bogut doesn't seem interested in going back to the NBA. At least, not yet.
Whats all the fuss in my mentions? My afternoon is with Baby Shark and @BlippiOfficial ! Enjoy your day! — Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) March 4, 2019
