Coming into the 2022-23 NBA season, there was some hope among people in the Detroit Pistons organization that they could challenge for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference. While we haven’t even reached Christmas yet, that looks like a goal that will not be attainable for Detroit this season.
The Pistons are currently tied with the Charlotte Hornets for the least number of wins in the NBA with seven and have the worst record in the league at 7-22. A big reason for the team’s struggles is the loss of point guard Cade Cunningham.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has been sidelined with a shin injury since November 9th. While the Pistons were only 3-9 with Cunningham in the lineup this season, they are 4-13 without him.
It is hard to envision things turning around anytime soon, but losing likely isn’t something that the Pistons are too worried about at this point.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic & Detroit Pistons Updates
The more losses that Detroit suffers, the better chance they have at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and being able to add Victor Wembanyama to the lineup alongside Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, the team’s first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Teams around the league are now patiently waiting for the Pistons to become sellers. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, personnel around the league believe that Cunningham’s injury will cause them to be more open to making trades sooner than later, with Bojan Bogdanovic drawing the most interest.
“Thus far, Detroit has been unwilling to engage in trade talks for the 33-year-old forward. Rival executives, however, are hopeful that stance changes closer to the deadline if Detroit continues to remain in the cellar of the East, with Cade Cunningham expected to miss the rest of the season.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic & Detroit Pistons Updates
Bogdanovic surprisingly landed in the Motor City ahead of the regular season in a trade from the Utah Jazz, who received Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee. Not receiving any draft compensation is something that shocked a lot of people, but the Jazz were intent on not taking on long-term money, which was included with each offer that possessed a first-round pick.
Almost immediately after the trade was made, Bogdanovic signed a contract extension with the Pistons, a two-year deal worth $39.1 million. That improved his value even more as the deal is not only an affordable one under market value, but the second year of the extension isn’t fully guaranteed.
Despite the Pistons’ struggles, Bogdanovic has done nothing to negatively impact his market. He is having an excellent season, as he is averaging a career-high 21 points per game and is knocking on the door of the illustrious 50/40/90 shooting club. Combined with the extension, Bogdanovic is a hot commodity.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic & Detroit Pistons Updates
But, the asking price is not cheap. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams that are a suitor for Bogdanovic but Detroit will not budge off of their asking price of an unprotected first-round pick. While the Lakers have balked at that price, there are plenty of contenders that have been linked to Bogdanovic that would likely be willing to pay that price.
