Detroit Pistons: 2 upstart teams to watch on the Bogdanovic trade market

Detroit Pistons: Bojan Bogdanovic trade to the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are currently sitting in third in the Western Conference and arguably have the deepest roster in the NBA.

But there are some problems, namely that Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson keep getting hurt, so the Pels could use some insurance for the two of them as well as a boost to their 3-point shooting.

They not only have contracts and players but a pile of draft assets due to the trades of Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, so they are a team that could give up an unprotected first rounder and not even notice it.

If the Pistons didn’t want to take on Graham’s contact, you could switch him out for a different combination of players, though it makes it more difficult to match salaries.

This would be a no-brainer for the Pelicans in my opinion, as neither of these guys are playing big roles and they have multiple picks in 2024 anyway. Detroit would also rather get their hands on one of the Lakers’ picks the Pelicans own, but that might be too steep for Bogdanovic in their minds.

As for the Detroit Pistons, they get to take a flyer on a young big with intriguing talent. Jaxson Hayes hasn’t been able to crack the rotation much this season, but he’s only 22 and has a ton of upside as a versatile forward/center who can block shots and even shoot a little. He would potentially pair well with one of the Pistons’ current bigs off the bench and if it doesn’t work out, he’s on an expiring deal anyway.

Detroit would also get their price of a first-round pick, but if they aren’t high on Hayes, there are other ways to go. Would the Pelicans bite on a trade based around Herb Jones? He’s the exact type of young wing defender the Pistons need, but New Orleans is highly unlikely to want to move him in a win-now move.

If the Detroit Pistons are going to trade Bogdanovic, it would be nice if they could get a project player and a pick in return, and these are two teams with the assets to get it done.