New Jersey Acquired the Rights to Bojan Bogdanović from Minnesota
On June 24, 2011, New Jersey purchased draft rights to Croatian scorer Bojan Bogdanović from Minnesota, giving up cash and a 2013 second-round pick. That choice eventually became No. 52 Lorenzo Brown. Miami had selected Bogdanović at No. 31 before moving his rights to Minnesota in a separate draft-night agreement, so the Nets did not select him directly with their own pick. Contemporary Nets reporting confirms the cash-and-pick construction and his European scoring reputation. The Nets were able to hold his NBA rights while he continued developing abroad, an inexpensive form of delayed roster construction. Minnesota chose immediate financial compensation and another future selection over retaining an international prospect.
Bogdanović Eventually Became a Useful Brooklyn Starting Forward
Bogdanović did not join the NBA immediately, spending the next three seasons playing professionally in Turkey before his Nets debut in 2014. In 2014-15 he appeared in 78 Brooklyn games, making 28 starts and scoring 9.0 points per outing. The next season he played 79 games with 39 starts and averaged 11.2 points. His shooting and size gave Brooklyn another regular scoring wing, and his presence proved to be much more than merely speculative international rights. Brooklyn used him during a playoff season and later moved him to Washington in a separate transaction. New Jersey's B+ inherited grade is supported by years of directly attributable Nets games from a player acquired using a second-rounder and cash rather than a premium first.
Minnesota Held a Future Pick, Not Bogdanović’s NBA Production
The Timberwolves gained cash and a 2013 second-round selection tied to No. 52 Lorenzo Brown. The draft-right ledger shows the choice moving through later transactions, so it should not be treated automatically as a full Minnesota player tenure without verifying that later chain. Minnesota also could have retained Bogdanović, but chose the opportunity to use those resources for other roster needs. Its inherited C grade recognizes a legitimate late pick and financial consideration rather than a first-round asset or experienced starter acquired in 2011. As a direct return, the Nets gained the player who eventually scored NBA points for multiple seasons, while Minnesota acquired resources with more uncertain realized impact. The delay until 2014 does not erase his subsequent Brooklyn years.
Final Verdict
Nets Win. Brooklyn/New Jersey receives B+ after acquiring Bojan Bogdanović’s rights and getting 78 games at 9.0 points in 2014-15 and 79 games at 11.2 in 2015-16. Minnesota gets C for cash and a 2013 second-round choice tied to No. 52 Lorenzo Brown, whose later pick chain is distinct.