INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Bogdan Bogdanovic is set to make his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday evening against the Memphis Grizzlies. This announcement comes after the Clippers celebrated a 130-110 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

“I feel good. Many of you have probably read about the personal matters I was dealing with prior to the trade, but that’s just part of the trade deadline process,” Bogdanovic stated. “I’m physically prepared and ready for the next game.” The Clippers recently traded Terance Mann and Bones Hyland to the Atlanta Hawks to acquire Bogdanovic along with three second-round draft picks.

This season, Bogdanovic has averaged 10 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2 assists while playing 24.9 minutes over 24 games with the Hawks. However, he has not played since January 25 due to personal issues. The 32-year-old Serbian recognized that several teams had shown interest in acquiring him. “While I was in Atlanta, I was in discussions with my family and was anticipating a trade,” he mentioned. “There were a few teams vying for me, and while I wasn’t sure where I’d end up, I’m pleased to be here.”

According to Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, the motivation to bring Bogdanovic on board stemmed from a need for additional shooting and playmaking on the bench. Although Bogdanovic’s shooting percentage this season stands at 37.1%, below his career average of 43.5%, Frank attributed these underwhelming statistics to unfortunate shooting luck rather than significant decline.

Clippers’ head coach Tyronn Lue anticipates that Bogdanovic will not only enhance their shooting capabilities, particularly off screens but also contribute in other areas. “He’s not solely a shooter; he possesses the ability to transform plays for others and manage pick-and-roll situations,” Lue remarked. “Our team requires improved ball handling and playmaking, and he provides that versatility.”

Across eight seasons in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks, Bogdanovic has averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Notably, he played a role in Serbia’s journey to a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics as well as a silver in the 2016 Rio Games.

“I believe many only see me as a shooter, but I have the ability to create scoring opportunities,” he expressed. “I bring a level of toughness to the team. I consider myself a three-level scorer, and I can adapt to the game’s rhythm. Now, I’m fortunate to be playing alongside more experienced teammates than I’m used to.”

With the addition of Bogdanovic, the Clippers are optimistic about their chances in the playoffs. Following Saturday’s win, their record stands at 29-23, ranking them seventh in the Western Conference, where a notable gap of 6.5 games exists between the fourth and 11th spot.

“He’s a well-rounded player with a diverse skill set,” center Ivica Zubac commented. “He’s going to significantly bolster our team. When we face defensive pressure, he can take the ball up, making his addition invaluable to our success.”