There are 30 teams in the NBA. They can’t all be in the same place. Some teams are serious title contenders, while others are rebuilding. Even then, some teams are in the middle – they’re simply hoping to make the playoffs.
It feels like that’s where the Sacramento Kings find themselves. We wouldn’t want to say that they can’t win an NBA title. That wouldn’t be fair.
With that said, it doesn’t seem likely, does it? The Kings should make the playoffs, but to go all the way, they’ll need to make major upgrades.
On the other hand, the Detroit Pistons don’t even project as a playoff squad. That’s fine – the Pistons are rebuilding. As long as they make some progress this year, they’ll be satisfied with the outcome.
Could they trade Bojan Bogdanovic to the Kings anyway?
NBA Trade Proposal — Sacramento Kings Land Bojan Bogdanovic
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Harrison Barnes, C Alex Len, 2025 Second-Round Pick (POR via SAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
Of course, every team in the league is in a different place, but they’re trying to get to the same one. They all want to contend for the NBA title. In theory, the path to getting there is easy to follow. You lose, collect lottery picks, see which ones work together, build around them – and win.
In practice, it doesn’t always go that way. Look at the Kings. At one time, they were preaching patience. The Kings were rebuilding around Demarcus Cousins.
Then, they were rebuilding around De’Aaron Fox. After missing the playoffs for an NBA-record 16 years, the Kings and their fans ran out of patience. In response, they made a trade for Domantas Sabonis.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings Updates
They gave up a lot to get him. The Kings sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers, and now, he looks like a future superstar. At the same time, the Kings broke their dubious streak. Could this deal get them into the second round this year?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Some will call Bogdanovic a questionable acquisition for the Kings. To be sure, he’s not the very best fit if the Kings have title aspirations. This team is poor on defense, and by adding Bogdanovic, they’ll only get weaker in that area.
Do the Kings have title aspirations? If so, they might be in trouble. Domantas Sabonis is a critical component of this team’s offense, and he struggles to protect the rim. The Kings likely don’t have the assets to trade for the type of defensive player who can cover for Sabonis’ limitations.
So, why not go all-in on offense? Putting an elite shooter next to Sabonis and Fox will make the Kings impossible to guard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings Updates
They could simply outscore their way into the second or third round of the playoffs – and after that, who knows? This deal should at least make the Kings a better team. What does it do for the Pistons?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
The Pistons don’t have to move Bogdanovic. Meanwhile, if they wanted to, they could get more assets than this deal is sending them. On the other hand, in doing so, they’re likely to take a major step backward.
This is an attempt to split the difference. The Pistons only receive a pair of second-round picks back for Bogdanovic here. That’s not an impressive haul of draft capital. On the other hand, they’re also acquiring Barnes. He’s not quite as impactful as Bogdanovic, but he’s a solid player in his own right.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings Updates
In fact, he’s a better defender. The Pistons may not want to tank their season, but they may not want to hang onto an aging veteran like Bogdanovic either. This deal suits them on both ends. If anything, it’s perfect for the position that they’re currently in.
