In today’s NBA, players have become the most powerful recruiters. The race to create the most stacked superteam has led to superstars pitching other superstars, as seen through Kawhi Leonard’s successful recruitment of Paul George. Even strong role players now receive strong pitches from teams. Forward Bojan Bogdanovic, who recently signed with the Utah Jazz, got exactly this treatment.

Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Bogdanovic had multiple players approach him about signing on to join the Jazz:

“Much like the way Leonard recruited George to the Clippers, Bogdanovic said “many” Jazz players pitched him on Salt Lake City. ‘I was surprised that everybody reached out’, Bogdanovic said. ‘Their togetherness is at a high level.'”

It makes sense why the Jazz were eager to acquire Bogdanovic’s talents. The Croatian veteran had the best season of his career last year, averaging 18 points and 4.1 rebounds a game while shooting a remarkable 42.5 percent from downtown.

For a long period, Bogdanovic was the best player on the Pacers due to Victor Oladipo’s unfortunate injury. Bogdanovic helped keep the Pacers afloat in the Eastern Conference — Indiana came within a game of getting home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The team ended up getting swept by the Boston Celtics, but Bogdanovic averaged a team-high 18 points per game in the series. Now, he joins the Jazz, which appear primed for a deep playoff run. Closeness is important for a team that aspires to win it all. If Bogdanovic is right in his assessment, the team is one important step closer to the ultimate goal.