Every team in the NBA functions differently. Some offenses are simpler than others. Typically, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has been a great simplifier. You don’t have to overthink the rest of your roster if he’s on your team.
How do you build around James? Surround him with shooting. It’s always been that simple. With that said, it feels like the Lakers missed that memo. They’ve consistently surrounded him with additional playmaking and dual big lineups.
That’s not to say that it hasn’t worked out. The Lakers have won an NBA title since acquiring James. That said, they could have been a more consistent challenger by surrounding him with better shooters. This season, they ought to acquire a knockdown shooter. How about Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons?
The Trade Proposal
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G/F Cam Reddish, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
With that said, we’re not the first to link Bogdanovic to the Lakers. This isn’t the first time we’ve made that connection, either. This feels like an obvious marriage. Why hasn’t it been consummated yet?
Well, the Lakers had other priorities at this year’s deadline. They’d acquired Russell Westbrook to ease James’ playmaking burden. That made some sense. Unfortunately, Westbrook’s poor shooting made him an otherwise questionable fit alongside James. The Lakers had to replace him with someone who could shoot – but they had to offer secondary playmaking as well. James is too old to handle that burden on his own.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
So, they moved Westbrook and a protected pick for, among other players, D’Angelo Russell. That was a sensible enough decision. Russell isn’t a knockdown shooter, but he’s better than Westbrook, and he can make plays. Yet, the transaction still left the Lakers without a reliable floor spacer. Could Bogdanovic be that guy for them?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Bogdanovic may be a floor spacer. He’s also so much more than that. This crafty offensive player can create his own shot in half-court sets. Bogdanovic has a functional handle and an array of head fakes and pump fakes that he can use to get his defender off-balance.
So, he fills more than one need for the Lakers. Yes, he spaces the floor for James. In all likelihood, he’d also be the third offensive option on this team. That sounds like a title contender to us, with James, Anthony Davis, and Russell in the fold. Bogdanovic is a huge addition to this team.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
He’s even worth this cost. The Lakers will be extremely light on draft capital following this deal. They can work that out later. This major market has never had an issue attracting star talent, and with James on the roster, the Lakers should be focused on the present. Should the Pistons acquire their future assets?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
When the Pistons acquired Bogdanovic, it left some fans puzzled. This team is rebuilding, right? Yes. The idea was seemingly to put some solid veterans around the team’s young core. That makes sense, but acquiring Bogdanovic felt like overkill.
This summer, the Pistons landed Joe Harris. That’s the type of floor spacer you get to compliment your young players. Bogdanovic should be on a contender. The Pistons are sending him to one here. Of course, they’re not doing anyone a favor – the Pistons are getting a lot in return.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
This isn’t any old first-round pick. The Lakers are a rapidly aging contender. Davis’ body may not hold up as long as they’d like. This distant future will first be among the more coveted assets in the NBA. If Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, or Ausar Thompson hit their ceiling, the Pistons may have an easy decision about how to use it down the line.
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