With the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline heating up, all 30 NBA teams are making serious moves to improve their roster. Among the teams are the Detroit Pistons (15-39), who currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Small forward Bojan Bogdanovic is a player who is resurfacing in many trade talks because of his veteran leadership and his skill level as a shooter. Bogdanovic has been one of the Pistons’ brightest spots, especially after the season-ending injury to Cade Cunningham. The Pistons are looking to escape the bottom of the barrel of the Eastern Conference, which is why the original asking price for Bogdanovic has been high. With just over a week to go before the trade deadline, the Pistons look to be set with Bogdanovic, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Here are some reasons why Bogdanovic is likely staying as a Piston.
Bojan Bogdanović says the Pistons think he is a “core member” of their future, via @MikeAScotto.
“They assured me that we’re going to be great next year… We have a lot of cap space to sign great players.” pic.twitter.com/iLZeqlWWGW
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 30, 2023
Why the Detroit Pistons Are Likely to Keep Bojan Bogdanovic
Bojan Bogdanovic Is One of the Best Things Going for the Pistons
Detroit has been underperforming in terms of accounting for key wins and developing their young first-round talent. Apart from Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, the Pistons have not created high-volume starters with their first-round talent. Killian Haynes has been a good but not great playmaker for the Pistons.
Bogdanovic is the team’s current leading scorer, averaging 21.4 points per game, shooting a field-goal percentage of 48.7% and a three-point conversion of 41.6%. He is also averaging 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.6 steals per game. He is currently averaging a career-high in points per game through his nine years in the NBA. Detroit has played 52 games this season after Monday night’s 111-105 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Bogdanovic has played the most games on the Pistons’ roster at 49 games. He is currently averaging a career-high in points per game through his nine years in the NBA. Bogdanovic has five games this season where he scored at least 30 points.
In 13 of the 15 games where Bogdanovic has scored at least 25 points, he shot above 50% in field goals. He has shown to be one of the most consistent offensive playmakers for the Pistons this season, but the lack of support outside of Ivey has been noticeable.
The Pistons Feel Bojan Bogdanovic and Another Star Can Lead a Talented Young Pistons Team
It is no secret that the Pistons need more consistent playmakers now and for the future. Trading Bogdanovic to another team for a trade package that could include a first-round pick could be enticing, but there are some problems with the belief that they will be great with more elite young talent. Cunningham will be coming off season-ending surgery and will be adjusting to playing next season. Ivey will be his second season in the league, and they can’t just hope that Victor Wembanyama will fall right into their lap.
The Pistons need veteran leadership and someone who can add consistent playmaking night in and night out for Detroit. According to Scotto, the Pistons believe they have that veteran in Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic opened to HoopHype, “having conversations with the club, Troy (Weaver), and the owners, they assured me that we’re going to be a great year.” He went on to say, “we have a lot of cap space to sign great players. We’re going to have a high pick again, so that’s going to help us a lot. We have a great young group of guys.”
Bogdanovic is set to become a core member of the Pistons as the team looks to get back into the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 NBA Season. Bogdanovic, along with some young talented playmakers and a group of established veterans, can help establish one of the league’s most compelling rosters. He is one of only four players over the age of 30-years old. There is room for improvement in the Pistons’ roster. Still, it appears the organization wants the veteran to be the key leader moving forward, essentially taking him off the trade market. That decision will be defined between now and after the Trade Deadline.
