In September, the Utah Jazz traded Bojan Bogdanovic to the Detroit Pistons for Saben Lee, Kelly Olynyk and cash considerations. Bogdanovic signed a two-year, $39.03 million contract extension with the Pistons in October.
With the nine-year veteran making $19.55 million with Detroit this season and $20 million next season, would Pistons GM Troy Weaver trade Bogdanovic if the price was right? The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III thinks not.
The Pistons have the fourth-lowest odds to win the championship in 2023, based on two NBA betting sites. With Cade Cunningham out for the rest of the season, sportsbooks are expecting Detroit to miss the playoffs.
Rob Pelinka had the chance to trade for Bojan Bogdanovic and said no thanks 😔. pic.twitter.com/TPFNRcuNkm
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) December 12, 2022
“Everybody has value,” Edwards told HoopsHype during an interview. “My guess is that the Pistons don’t necessarily want to trade him, but if there’s an unprotected starter and maybe a young player, or a lot of starters, I think they might be tempted to do it.
“Or maybe an unexpected start and a good veteran who’s been under contract for a while. I think Detroit looks around at their chances of getting a ball-scoring guy at Bogdanovic’s price point and didn’t sign him to an extension to trade him. They wanted to bring him in here and be a part of it.
The Pistons are unlikely to trade veteran forward Bojan Bogdanovic after signing him to a two-year, $39.03 million contract.
An unprotected first-round draft pick is a lot for one interested team: the Los Angeles Lakers. They only have two first-round picks in the rest of the decade (2027, 2029). For this reason alone, the senders may be out.
If the Pistons are able to select top prospect Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA draft, trading away from Bogdanovic wouldn’t make much sense. After all, he is a proven player. The 33-year-old has remained healthy throughout his nine-year career.
Do not allow any business to grow
PG 6’5″ Killian Hayes
PG 6’6” Cade Cunningham
SF 7’5” V. Wembanyaba
PF 6’8” Isaiah Stewart.
C 6’10” Jalen DurenIt’s fun when it can be your 2nd class.
PG 6’5″ Jayden Ev
SG 6’6” Alec Burks
SF 6’7” Sadiq Bay
PF 6’8″ Bojan Bogdanovic
C 6’11” Marvin Bagley pic.twitter.com/58K3fSfgRh– Pistons 22.23 Casey Thomas (@GMwanttobe) December 15, 2022
Detroit will be a strong playoff contender with Cunningham, Bogdanovic, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart and Wembaniyama. If the Pistons can land the French basketball star, their future is set. So keeping a consistent forward like Bogey should be Weaver’s goal.
Having young, talented players is ideal for NBA teams, but veteran leadership is also important.
In 29 starts this season, Bogdanovic is averaging 21.1 points and 2.4 assists per game. In addition to scoring 3.7 rebounds per game, the wing is also shooting the ball well. He is shooting 50.4% from the floor and 43.2% from 3-point range.
