Should Lakers Pursue Bojan Bogdanovic Trade with Pistons amid Latest NBA Rumors?
Trade rumors involving the Los Angeles Lakers have been swirling throughout the first two months of the 2022-23 NBA season. At this point, it seems inevitable that the team will make at least one move prior to the trade deadline on Feb. 9.
The Lakers continue to get linked to various players from around the league. And recently, some of those rumors have featured Detroit Pistons guard Bojan Bogdanović.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Los Angeles has discussed the possibility of sending a protected first-round draft pick and some type of salary (such as Patrick Beverley) to Detroit in exchange for Bogdanović. That doesn't mean a trade is imminent, though.
"I think the holdup in that deal is that the Pistons really value Bojan Bogdanovic and they've been reluctant when they speak to other teams," Charania recently said on Bally Sports' The Rally. "Dozens of teams have called them already on Bojan Bogdanovic and they've been really reluctant to engage and even move him."
It's always possible that could change. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that executives from around the league are "hopeful" the Pistons will change their stance. After all, they're in last place in the Eastern Conference at 7-22 and will be without guard Cade Cunningham for the rest of the season due to a left shin injury.
Scotto also shared that the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks are among the teams that have expressed interest in Bogdanović in addition to the Lakers. So it doesn't seem Los Angeles will be along in its pursuit of the 33-year-old forward.
So far, Bogdanović is having an impressive season, which is his first in Detroit. He's averaging a career-high 21 points through 28 games. And he's been efficient, shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 43.7 percent from 3-point range (both of which would be career bests).
The Lakers saw up close the type of success Bogdanović is having on Sunday, when he dropped 38 points in Detroit's loss to Los Angeles. It marked the third time this month that he's scored 30 or more points in a game.
Bogdanović seems like he'd be a great fit in Los Angeles, considering the Lakers need to add a wing player with a strong outside shooting ability. He would fill that role and be a great complementary piece to Los Angeles' core featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook (assuming he doesn't get traded himself at some point).
It's a bit of a steep price for the Lakers to part with a first-round pick (they own only two for the rest of the decade) and Beverley, who has made 21 starts in their backcourt this season. But Bogdanović isn't set to become a free agent until after the 2024-25 season, so he's a player Los Angeles could build around the next few years as it tries to win another championship in the late stages of James' career.
Because of that, it would be wise for Los Angeles to try to bring in Bogdanović. In order for that to happen, Detroit will need to become more open to moving him. But there's still plenty of time for that to occur before the trade deadline.
The Lakers, who are 11-16 after losing four of their past five games, could use the boost that the addition of Bogdanović would bring to their lineup.
