To quote the great Yogi Berra, this season has been “deja vu all over again” for the Detroit Pistons.
Not only are they once again one of the worst teams in the NBA, but they are once again at the center of trade rumors, this time for Bojan Bogdanovic.
Just like last season, the Pistons are playing coy about their intentions, as they have claimed that they want to keep Bogdanovic, but they said that last season about Jerami Grant and we saw how that turned out.
If the right offer is made, the Detroit Pistons will probably take it, as Bogdanovic is already 33-years-old, and as good has he’s been offensively, Detroit might regret not cashing in their best trade asset when his price is at an all-time high.
Most of the trade rumors for Bogdanovic thus far have revolved around the veteran contenders looking to add some firepower for a run at a title. The NBA is as wide-open as it has ever been, with no clear favorite, so adding Bogdanovic could be enough to push one of these teams over the top.
The Lakers are the team that has been attached to the Pistons in rumors for the longest, but the two are currently in a game of chicken to see which one blinks first, as LA doesn’t want to give up an unprotected pick and Detroit says they won’t do the deal without one.
We’ve also looked as possible trades with the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, all mainstays in the playoffs over the last few seasons.
But there are also two upstart teams in the Western Conference who not only have intriguing young talent and picks, but also might want to add Bogdanovic to make a run at a title.
Detroit Pistons: Bojan Bogdanovic trade to the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are currently tied for first in the Western Conference, so it’s not like they need to make a splashy trade.
They are also a team that is building through their draft and player development and may be happy to just play this thing out. But they were good in the regular season last year as well, but flamed out in the second round of the playoffs.
If you look at the state of the West, the Grizzlies would be smart to go for it now, as the right addition could make them the frontrunner to win it all and those chances don’t come around every season.
Memphis is just 22nd in 3-point percentage this season, so here is a trade that would strengthen their depth and an area of weakness:
In this trade, the Grizzlies get one of the best 3-point shooters in the league for a guy who hasn’t played this season (Green) and a second-year player who has played in 14 games and averaged six points per game. The pick they are giving up is a late first rounder that they don’t really need anyway, as they already have plenty of young talent and it’s likely to be in the late 20’s.
From the perspective of the Detroit Pistons, they get an expiring contract in Green, and get to take a flyer on a player at a position of need. Williams is a 6-foot-8 wing who was the 10th pick in the draft and has a lot of upside as a two-way forward.
They’d also get the first-round pick they covet, which they could use to add more young talent or as fodder in a trade this offseason.
Grizzlies fans might say this is too much to give up, but it would give them a shot at a title right now. Pistons fans might say it’s not enough, but it satisfies their price tag of a young player and/or pick for Bojan Bogdanovic.
But the Grizzlies aren’t the only team in the Southwest Division who might want an upgrade.
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.