Every team in the NBA needs to divide its usage. Some players may dominate the ball – others will hardly touch it. A team needs an offensive pecking order. What’s the best way to divide that usage?
Some contending teams are built around two offensive stars. They handle the majority of the point production. Those teams surround their star duo with role players who can support them. For example, look at the Dallas Mavericks. This offense begins and ends with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
That could work. Doncic and Irving are among the most talented offensive duos in the NBA. At the same time, if Dallas had a third option, their offense could be even more dynamic. With that said, that third option would have to be a player who can also thrive without the ball.
How about Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons?
NBA Trade Proposal — Dallas Mavericks Land Bojan Bogdanovic
Detroit Pistons receive: C Richaun Holmes, G/F Josh Green, F Derrick Jones Jr., 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
With that said, a rebuilding team must figure out their pecking order. It may not be obvious on day one. Teams focused on the future will monitor their players to see who emerges as a star – or not.
Take the Pistons. This team has a lot of potential stars. Between Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson, the future is bright in Detroit.
Can all three of those players co-exist? That remains to be seen. With that said, one or two of these guys will have to emerge as a more serious off-ball threat if they work together.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks Updates
That may not happen. If it doesn’t, that’s OK too. The Pistons only need one of these guys to emerge as a star player. They can trade whoever they need to trade to support their guy. Once that happens, they’ll likely be looking for players like Bogdanovic.
Should they really trade him now?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do This Deal
This could be a tough pill for the Pistons to swallow. This team has been rebuilding for a while. Trading Bogdanovic will hurt their win-now prospects. Is it the right decision?
We think so. Here’s the rub – the Pistons won’t win much in 2023-24, even with Bogdanovic on the roster. As talented as he is, he’s unlikely to elevate this team to play-in status.
The Pistons have too many questions to answer. They need to figure out who their primary offensive options are. They must also figure out who their starting big man is between Jalen Duren and James Wiseman. The Pistons aren’t ready.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks Updates
So, they’re flipping Bogdanovic in a future-focused package here. Green is an exciting young player who could be a good role player for this team moving forward. Still, they’re doing this deal for the unprotected first.
Should the Mavericks give that pick up for Bogdanovic?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do This Deal
For the Mavericks, the future is now. This team is built to win. You don’t hoard assets When you’ve two superstars on your roster. You put the best possible team around them.
Bogdanovic isn’t a no-brainer acquisition. He’s a relatively weak defender, and Dallas may have issues in that department. Fair. At the same time, he’s such a perfect offensive fit alongside Doncic and Irving that he’s worth acquiring anyway.
After all, Bogdanovic can create his shot. He’s also a lethal off-ball player who can consistently knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks Updates
This is exactly the type of third option that will complement Doncic and Irving. The Mavericks would give themselves a perfect offensive pecking order by adding him.
