NBA Rumors: Detroit Pistons seeking first-rounder or young player for Bojan Bogdanovic
After losing former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham to a season-ending surgery, the Detroit Pistons are reportedly changing their plans this season. Their biggest change is rumored to be around one of the key veterans on their roster.
This offseason, the Detroit Pistons acquired Bojan Bogdanovic in a trade with the Utah Jazz. Not long after, they signed the 33-year-old forward to an extension.
All young teams need experienced veterans in the locker room, and it looked like Bogdanovic would be that for Detroit. Multiple teams were interested in trading for him earlier in the year, but the Pistons were in no rush to move him.
Amid recent reports, it appears that the Detroit Pistons have set their asking price for the veteran wing. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, they are seeking a first-round pick and a young player with upside in a potential deal for Bogdanovic.
The Pistons are seeking at least one first-rounder and either a young player with upside or additional draft capital in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic, per @JakeLFischer https://t.co/8O7nWpkCx2
Through 40 games this season, Bogdanovic is averaging 21.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc.
Should the Detroit Pistons move on from Bojan Bogdanovic?
Early in the year, it might have made sense for the Detroit Pistons to hold on to their veterans. However, that is no longer the case and they could do everything they can to get a valuable return for Bojan Bogdanovic.
The Pistons are currently in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with a 11-30 record. It's clear they are still early in their rebuild. Keeping a veteran who is making the team more competitive makes little sense with a prospect like Victor Wembanyama coming down the pipeline.
Moving Bogdanovic also opens up room in the starting lineup for another young piece. Saddiq Bey, for instance, had a rough start to the season, but is slowly starting to look like himself again. He averaged 13.1 points per game while shooting 38% from deep in the month of December.
Bogdanovic has thrived for Detroit this season, but their focus needs to be on development. Keeping him on the roster could keep the ball out of other players' hands. Players like Bey and rookie standout Jaden Ivey may not be able to grow their game if they don't get plenty of touches every night.
Losing Cade Cunningham for the year was a huge blow for the Pistons and changed the trajectory of their season. With the playoffs looking out of sight at the moment, they could look to trade Bogdanovic potentially to a contender in a deal that benefits their own ambitions as well.