One NBA writer believes the Los Angeles Lakers should try to trade for Detroit Pistons small forward Bojan Bogdanovic this offseason.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report thinks Bogdanovic would fit in well in Los Angeles next to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“While the Detroit Pistons have hardly seemed in a rush to trade Bojan Bogdanovic, they may have a hard time justifying his presence after the draft,” Buckley wrote. “This young team is poised to get even younger with the Pistons holding the Nos. 5 and 31 picks. These prospects and all of the up-and-comers already residing in the Motor City will need floor time and touches to develop. Both could be harder to come by as long as Bogdanovic is with the team.
“The 34-year-old ranked second on the squad this past season in average minutes (32.1) and field-goal attempts (14.9). Among rotation regulars, he also landed second in usage percentage (25.9), per Basketball Reference. It might be time for both the Pistons and Bogdanovic to embrace a split, which could be great news for the Lakers. The veteran scoring forward is a career 39.4 percent three-point shooter who can create for himself and his teammates in a complementary role.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers tried to acquire Bogdanovic last offseason when the sharpshooter was on the Utah Jazz, who wound up trading Bogey to the Pistons.
Bogdanovic averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Pistons in 2022-23 while shooting 48.8% from the field, 41.1% from beyond the arc and 88.4% from the free-throw line. The 34-year-old signed a two-year, $39 million extension with Detroit in October 2022. He will have made over $142 million in his NBA career once his current contract ends.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers need more shooters around James and Davis, so general manager Rob Pelinka would be smart to call the Pistons and see what the franchise wants for Bogdanovic.
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