Detroit Pistons: 5 bold predictions for the trade deadline

Detroit Pistons: Bold trade deadline predictions

#2: Bojan Bogdanovic Stays Put

While it sounds like a lot of fans are presuming that Bojan Bogdanovic will get moved, it’s just as possible that he stays put, which was confirmed in a recent report. For all of the places he’s mentioned as a good to great fit, he’s currently the best player here in the Motor City. Whether he stays or goes isn’t likely to have any real bearing on the Detroit Pistons’ lottery odds and yet his status as an impact player has been established. Perhaps he’s the veteran Detroit needs to steer the ship until Cade is truly ready to take over, both mentally and physically. If he’s not destined to remain here for the duration of his contract, one would be prudent to note that it runs for two more years, though the second is not fully guaranteed. That means two more rounds of trade deadline hysteria, hyperbole, and most importantly of all, opportunity. If Weaver’s demands go unmet he should refrain from lowering the price. He held on to Grant for longer than expected and ultimately snagged Jalen Duren, so timing will be everything when it comes to Bogdanovic.

#3 John Collins Comes to the D

This is may be the longest of the long shots on the list, and yet entirely possible too. Something about the John Collins to Detroit smoke feels legit, as the Detroit Pistons have been mentioned as potential suitor for him by The Athletic among others.

If Bogdanovic is dealt at the deadline then this is a deal fans could live with. Collins has a skillset that the Detroit Pistons are lacking. A small ball center who spends most of his time at power forward could be an incredible fit alongside Jalen Duren. The rim protection those two could provide side-by-side might make up for any perimeter-based defensive liabilities. Collins being able to regain respectability in his 3-point shooting is an absolute must in this scenario, but he’s proven that he can be at least serviceable in this regard.

The contract Collins has is a potential sticking point here. Theoretically, Detroit has the cap room for the remainder of the 5 year, $125 million deal he got from the Hawks in 2021, but with three years left on it they can’t afford to get stuck with a player that underperforms and can’t be moved. Collecting a 1st rounder for Bogdanovic is a much safer way to go, but gambling on Collins would be an intriguing decision for Weaver to make.