When the Pistons unexpectedly beat out rival suitors to acquire Bojan Bogdanovic in September, some executives around the NBA viewed it as a signal that Detroit was accelerating its timeline and making a push for the play-in tournament, writes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. However, it’s unclear if the Pistons are ready to take that step forward, having gotten off to a 3-9 start this season.
If the Pistons continue to struggle and Bogdanovic (19.3 PPG on .487/.457/.917 shooting) keeps playing anywhere near the level that he has in the early going, it could put the team in a good position to flip the veteran forward for value at this season’s trade deadline, Fischer notes.
The Pistons did sign Bogdanovic to a two-year, $39MM extension last month, but that contract shouldn’t hurt his trade value and might even improve it for some suitors, especially since the second year of the extension is only lightly guaranteed, Fischer writes. And even if the Pistons hang onto Bogdanovic through this season, he’ll now be movable in the 2023 offseason and beyond.
“What it really does is it gives them contract control so it’s easier to trade him in July, when a team that needs him is far more likely to have cap space and wiggle room,” an assistant general manager told Yahoo Sports.
Here’s more from Fischer:
- The Lakers inquired on Bogdanovic when he was a member of the Jazz and could still have interest if the Pistons were to make him available, according to Fischer, who points out that a package of Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, and Nerlens Noel would be enough to match Russell Westbrook‘s expiring deal. If the Lakers are hesitant to make an all-in move, a package like that could hold some appeal, since it shouldn’t cost them both of their tradable first-round picks, says Fischer.
- The Suns were another team with interest in Bogdanovic before he was traded out of Utah and could still put together a package built around Jae Crowder‘s expiring contract, Fischer writes, adding that there’s no indication that Crowder and the Suns will reunite even after starting forward Cameron Johnson went down with a knee injury.
- It’s unclear whether the Bucks have interest in Bogdanovic, but they’re among Crowder’s potential suitors and could hypothetically offer Grayson Allen for him, according to Fischer, who hears from sources that Milwaukee has been calling teams to gauge Allen’s trade value.
- While Allen looks like the kind of rotation piece the Suns are known to be seeking in exchange for Crowder, Fischer wonders if Phoenix might become more inclined to wait until closer to the trade deadline to see if any higher-impact players shake loose — Crowder’s expiring contract could be an important piece in any offer for a player of that caliber.
The Lakers will be irrelevant until they can convince Bronnie, Davis and Westbrook it’s in their best interests to play for other teams. Take any draft picks they can get as long as the other team takes their salaries without losing any of their own picks. The Lakers will have to be rebuilt completely through FA, As if they can lose the over 120 million they save by removing the problems the better off they’ll be. A lot of FA’s will still want to play for the Lakers but not with the poor way this team is constructed. A clear case of letting the inmates run the asylum as they gave Bronnie what he wanted and now it’s a disaster. It’s why you don’t listen to players at all. They’re gonna need suckers to buy in though.
Every Mechanic needs a salesman to run a car dealership, every general contractor needs a broker to sell homes, and vice-versa.
??? How would the package deal trading Bagdonvic help the Pistons? They would need draft picks to do that deal. All three players are free agents next year so why would they do it for Westbrook? Bagdonvic is having a better season than Westbrook.
In the hypothetical deal, they would get draft assets of some sort (maybe one first-round pick), but not BOTH the 2027 and 2029 first-rounders.
Lakers would need to sweeten the deal with a draft pick. i don’t think these people making up rumors do not take into consideration that Westbrook is not coveted player without a draft pick.
I think Detroit would trade Bogdonovich for a single 1st, and a player(s) closer to the deadline. Its hard to make sense of the extension Detroit gave him, they may really like him as with Iguodala & Haslem, or it was a small risk intended to provide off-season trade $
The Lakers won a NBA title with Anthony Davis but before they traded for Davis they were stocked for years to come.
In 2017-18 Lakers had players like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson, Brook Lopez, Larry Nance, Julius Randle, Ivica Zubac, Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Now, Lakers seem lost. Fine.
Go Celtics!
Yeah it does seem if they had more patience they would be in the catbird seat now.
Funny how the Pelicans have the Lakers pick (swap) for 2023.
Bogdanavic will be traded to the Knicks for draft picks. They have like 3 first rounders and a second rounder on deck.
Pistons are the poster-child for why tanking is a terrible approach that does not lead to success.
I will say it again, even if they get the #1 lottery pick. It won’t end well.
A failing approach does not turn to success, it doesn’t matter who you draft, you create perpetual failure.
Lakers will not be in contention at the trade deadline
Can someone please explain to me how Crowder not playing for the Suns is helping either party? Time to reverse course and get back with the team.
I’ve always wondered what went on there, and how it is so amicably extreme between the Suns & Crowder? Ok, sure don’t play until we trade you. Odd strategy, maybe its to lessen the Sarver drama.
Unexpectedly? They gave up nothing of value. Ainge just must have a woody for Olynyk bc that was a bad trade by all accounts for a team that should have been acquiring picks. Would love to get some insight on the other trades on the table.
Bogdanovic is playing good ball. Had a good gm in MSG. He can definitely help a team. Especially the Lakers. But why would Pistons do that trade. Lakers are better off playing Russ. Hope he keeps playing well. Then maybe they can get value back. I still think Jazz is best option. They will blow it up soon. Take on Russ, buy him out.
And then the Westbrook sweepstakes begins.
While Jazz pray for a top three pick. Russ will get his choice of where to go.