Pacers Could Pivot Trade Target if Cam Johnson Doesn't Land in Indiana

In addition to being linked to the Pacers, Johnson has been included in rumors involving the Thunder, Magic, Spurs, Lakers, Kings, Clippers, Nuggets, and Pistons. The demand for him is so high that the Nets have reportedly raised their asking price to two first-round picks. 

With slim odds of being able to outbid the many suitors, the Pacers could set their sights on Atlanta Hawks wing Bogdan Bogdanović.

This season, Bogdanović is having a down season. Averaging only ten points on 30 percent shooting from deep, the Serbian forward has been one of the better shooters in the NBA over the past several seasons, and his off-year isn't much to worry about.

After the news broke that star forward Jalen Johnson would be out for the rest of the year, the Hawks' slim playoff hopes took a dive, and they could be interested in selling. They owe their first-round picks to the Spurs in 2025 and 2027 and might have to swap in 2026, so the Pacers could offer them draft capital for Bogdanović, who is under contract through the 2026-27 season, with a team option for that year.

While Bogdanović isn't quite as good as Johnson, he would play a position of need in Indiana and would allow both Aaron Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin to come off the bench, provided the Pacers keep them ahead of what stands to be a busy trade deadline.