The Detroit Pistons currently hold the second-worst record in the league, and just like last season, have a veteran trade asset that half of the league is asking about.
The Bojan Bogdanovic rumors have been picking up steam and just about every contender has been linked to him in reports, though the Pistons have maintained that they don’t have huge interest in trading him.
The Detroit Pistons may say that they don’t want to trade Bogdanovic, but they have also reportedly added that if they did, it would take an unprotected first-round pick to make it happen. In other words, they will trade him for the right offer.
This will obviously make it more difficult, especially with teams like the Lakers, who have said that an unprotected first is a bit too rich for Bogdanovic.
We’ve already looked at some of the possibilities with teams like the Phoenix Suns (who may have the best offer) as well as the Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks.
Another team that has been mentioned in trade rumors for Bojan Bogdanovic is the Atlanta Hawks, who are underperforming after acquiring Dejounte Murray and could use a boost of 3-point shooting.
The Hawks have reportedly shopped John Collins and a straight up trade for Bogdanovic could work (with some added salaries going to Atlanta) but Collins is owed a lot of money and the Pistons may be loathe to take it on, especially since it would really be a lateral move and his numbers are way down this season.
So putting together a trade that sends Bojan Bogdanovic to the Hawks isn’t easy, but Atlanta does have multiple first-round picks in 2024 and may be willing to move one of them along with some young players to bolster their chances this season.
It’s a long shot, but there is a trade that works.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Bojan Bogdanovic to the Atlanta Hawks
There are many complications that make a trade like this very unlikely without a third team getting involved, as the Detroit Pistons don’t currently have the roster spots to take on three players, so it would take some adjustments.
This is really just a starting point for a conversation about what type of compensation would get the Pistons to move off Bogdanovic and how much other teams might be willing to give up to acquire him.
This trade also comes up $100,000 shy of working on Atlanta’s side, but a 100K has never stopped a trade from happening, so that’s for the accountants to sort out.
In this trade, the Hawks get their sharpshooter and the Pistons get an expiring contract (Holiday) to go along with two young players who have no long-term financial obligations, as they both have just team options moving forward.
They would also get one of Atlanta’s 2024 first-round picks, which would be the real prize for the Pistons, who would love to get a pick to replace the one they owe the Knicks.
So who says no?
Detroit Pistons: Trading Bojan Bogdanovic to the Atlanta Hawks
It’s possible that both teams would say no, as the Hawks would be giving up some of their depth (though none of these players have huge roles) and a pick for a 33-year-old who can’t defend.
Would Bogdanovic really be enough to push them into contention in the Eastern Conference? Probably not.
From the Pistons perspective, they’d be getting two interesting young forward prospects in Johnson and Okongwu who are both under team control. Okongwu would add some shot blocking and Johnson was one of the better two-way wings out of his draft class, though he has played sparingly in his first two seasons in the league.
I think this is a deal the Detroit Pistons would probably jump at, as they’d get the chance to try out some intriguing players and get their asking price of a first-round pick.
I don’t think the Hawks are desperate (or good) enough to make a move like this, but they have to be disappointed in their season so far and they do have Sacramento’s first-round pick in 2024, which should be around the same as their own.
I think what this type of trade really illustrates is that it will likely take a third team for any contender to trade for Bojan Bogdanovic, as most don’t have the contracts to match up without trading away three or more players or moving off a piece of their core.
If Bojan does end up traded, expect a massive deal that could involve three or more teams.