To trade or not to trade? The Pistons' Bojan Bogdanovic dilemma

Why the Detroit Pistons should trade Bojan Bogdanovic

Yes, it's true that a draft pick is not likely to be as impactful as Bogdanovic, who has been one of the league's most consistent shooters over his career.

The 2024 class of free agents isn't deep and they may not find anyone to replace his production.

HOWEVER,

The biggest thing holding the Pistons back from making a big trade is that they are hampered by the draft pick they owe the Knicks, which they cannot trade until after the draft (technically) or until they secure an additional first-round pick.

So even if the Pistons took back just one late first-round pick for Bogdanovic, it would open up a world of possibilities, because it would then allow them to trade their own 2024 pick, which will be in the top five.

Even in this draft, a top-5 pick is a real asset and something the Pistons can potentially package to get an impact player. Would a top-5 pick get them Lauri Markkanen? Trades like that are on the table once they can trade it, but right now the Pistons lack the assets to make a splash because their own pick is in limbo.

Trading Bogdanovic might make them worse in the short term, but it would also potentially unlock bigger trade opportunities.

It would also open up another $20 million in cap space that the Pistons could use to add the depth they currently lack, adding a couple of the role players they desperately need. Two league-average 3-and-D wings would be more valuable than one Bogdanovic.

The team does have an argument, but if they don't trade Bojan Bogdanovic now, his value is just going to keep dipping and they will be hamstrung from making a big trade for impact talent.