This proposed trade sends Bojan Bogdanovic to the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that has made a number of quality moves this offseason. They re-signed a number of their key free agents, and there is no doubt that the Lakers look as though they’ll be one of the contending teams next season.
With that being said, there are definitely still some trades out there that can help the Los Angeles Lakers become a better team. The Lakers need more piece to truly have a chance of winning the championship. There are plenty of suitable trade targets, and Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic is one of them. Here is a potential trade framework.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Bojan Bogdanovic
Detroit Pistons Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, 2024 Second-Round Pick, 2025 Second-Round Pick
There is no doubt that Bojan Bogdanovic can be a difference-maker for the Los Angeles Lakers. He provides a veteran presence, and his 3PT shooting is among the best in the league. Here is why both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons should consider making this deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers Add A Top-Tier 3PT Shooter
There is no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers need another consistent offensive player to keep up with teams like the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. In theory, that player should also be comfortable operating in an off-ball role, and willing to defer to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Bojan Bogdanovic definitely fits the bill in that regard.
Last season, Bojan Bogdanovic averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while shooting a blistering 41.1% from 3PT range on 6.0 attempts per game. He is coming off a career-best season, and could definitely play a role on the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. 3 option. Bogdanovic is a player that can punish defenses for throwing double teams at the Lakers’ superstars, and all the open looks he would get from their gravity would likely lead to a career year from an efficiency standpoint.
To get Bojan Bogdanovic, the Los Angeles Lakers would have to send out a D’Angelo Russell centered package, alongside Maxwell Lewis and some picks. This trade would be a consolidation trade: the Lakers have no need for picks and prospects right now, as they are trying to win a championship. It makes sense for them to do something like this, as Bojan Bogdanovic could push them over the top.
The concern with Bojan Bogdanovic would obviously be his age, as he is a player that 34 years old right now, and is likely to decline sooner rather than later. What is working in Bogdanovic’s favor however, is that his game is predicated on 3PT shooting, rather than athleticism. He has never been a player that slashes to the rim, preferring to score from the perimeter instead. Shooting ability remains even as athleticism wanes, which is why Bogdanovic had one of his best seasons last year.
Bojan Bogdanovic is the sort of veteran that the Los Angeles Lakers need at the PF position. He is a better 3PT shooter than Rui Hachimura, and though he isn’t a top-tier defender, he has good awareness on that end of the floor. Adding Bogdanovic would give the Lakers an amazing scoring option, and they should absolutely trade for him if the opportunity arises.
The Detroit Pistons Get Solid Value For Their Veteran
From the Detroit Pistons’ perspective, now could be the time to trade Bojan Bogdanovic. This is likely his peak value given that he will be on an expiring contract next year. This trade package from the Los Angeles Lakers would give them solid value in return.
D’Angelo Russell is a player that is a starting-level point guard, averaging 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game last season. Though he would be unlikely to start for the Detroit Pistons given the presence of ball handlers like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson on the roster, he could still play a role for the team coming off the bench. The team could also loop another team into this trade to take on Russell, or move him at the 2024 trade deadline.
Maxwell Lewis is a solid prospect, who has already shown some 3 and D ability in college. He is the perfect low-usage player to put on the Pistons if he pans out. The rest of this deal is comprised of second-round picks, which is likely the draft compensation required for a deal to go through.
It would be interesting to see if the Detroit Pistons would accept a deal with this framework. Bojan Bogdanovic clearly doesn’t fit the team’s timeline, and it is only a matter of time before the team decides to move him. This is the sort of package that could land him, and the Pistons would also be doing right by the veteran by sending him to a contending team.
This Could Be A Hugely Impactful Move For The Los Angeles Lakers
There is no doubt that Bojan Bogdanovic is an ideal move for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is a low-usage player that knows how to make an impact with or without the ball, and is also a decent shot creator if that part of his skill set is needed. Bogdanovic has also been part of many playoff runs, and is clearly experienced in that department. If he keeps up his production from this season, Bogdanovic can be the x-factor in the Los Angeles Lakers winning a championship.
We will see whether the Los Angeles Lakers enter trade talks for Bojan Bogdanovic in the future. He seems like a player that can fit on their franchise, and we’ll see what ends up happening in the future.
