At times, the decisions that we make can have unintended consequences. When that happens, we’ve got to roll with the punches. This happens to NBA teams as well. Sometimes, acquiring a player has a different benefit than the one they expected.
For example, why did the Detroit Pistons acquire Bojan Bogdanovic? In all likelihood, they thought he’d be a good compliment to Cade Cunningham in 2022-23. He probably would have been – had Cunningham not gotten hurt. In the meantime, Bogdanovic had the best statistical season of his career.
How should Detroit respond? They could justify keeping Bogdanovic. On the other hand, if they moved him now, they’d get a lot more back than what they gave up for him. Here’s a deal that has them sending him to the New York Knicks.
The Trade Proposal
Detroit Pistons Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
Meanwhile, the Knicks know all about unintended consequences. Sure, they must have liked Jalen Brunson – why else did they sign him? Still, they couldn’t have expected his current level of production.
Nobody did. Brunson spent the beginning of his NBA career supporting Luka Doncic as a secondary option. He had apparent offensive ability, but he wasn’t anybody’s idea of a star. The Knicks offered him a starting role in free agency, and what do you know – Brunson is a star. The Knicks made a decision, and it had unintended benefits.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, New York Knicks & Detroit Pistons Updates
That’s the reality of the NBA. We may pencil a player into a certain role, but that doesn’t mean they’re stuck there. Every season, new players break out. Should the Pistons trade Bogdanovic after his breakout season?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
This may be a tough pill for Detroit to swallow. If they don’t want to swallow it, that’s understandable. This team is likely hoping to win more games next season than they have in recent years. Bogdanovic would help with that goal.
So will Joe Harris. That’s part of our thinking here. If the Pistons wanted to see their young core alongside an elite floor spacer, they’ve now got one to spare. Their acquisition of Harris this summer makes Bogdanovic somewhat expendable.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, New York Knicks & Detroit Pistons Updates
Meanwhile, Bogdanovic is aging. He’ll never have more trade value than he does at this very moment. If Detroit can get an unprotected first and an expiring contract for him, they should probably take that opportunity. Should the Knicks move that much for Bogdanovic?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Bogdanovic’s statistical breakout came on the bottom-feeding Pistons. By contrast, Brunson starred in a winning team. With the performance that the Knicks gave in 2022-23, this team should be in win-now mode. They don’t need to cling to their first-round picks.
They could use an elite floor spacer. Bogdanovic meets the threshold. He’s also capable of creating his own shot. Bogdanovic is the rare player who can serve in both a complimentary and featured role. He’d be a perfect fit on this roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, New York Knicks & Detroit Pistons Updates
Evan Fournier is not. He’s been vocally dissatisfied with his role on the Knicks. Moving off of a player who isn’t happy should improve the team’s locker room. Still, this is mostly about acquiring Bogdanovic. If all goes well, that’ll be a decision that has the exact consequences that the Knicks intended.
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