The NBA’s Feb. 9 trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Detroit Pistons remain one of the most interesting wild cards in the market.
Naturally, one would think that a team like the Pistons, who are sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, would be big-time sellers. That, however, is not a given, team sources say The Athletic. Rival squads have regularly called the Pistons to inquire about the availability of Bojan Bogdanović, who might be the most coveted player ahead of the deadline, as well as Alec Burks, Saddiq Bey and Nerlens Noel. According to league sources, Detroit is having conversations about these players but is not overly eager to part with Bogdanović, Burks or Bey. It would take favorable returns for the Pistons to part with any of the three previously mentioned players before the deadline.
Detroit, in regards to solving its own problems and setting up for a legitimate postseason push next season, might be better off waiting until the summer to make a significant move, once it learns its draft positioning in 2023.
Regardless of what is expected from the Pistons come Feb. 9, trade talk will dominate the headlines, and there are many scenarios to consider. Earlier this week, I asked subscribers to send in trade proposals. I’ll evaluate these trade offers in an attempt to paint a broader picture of the Pistons’ plans.
Trade #1 — Richard D.
Pistons receive: Dario Šarić, Grayson Allen and the Suns’ 2023 first-round pick
Bucks receive: Jae Crowder
Suns receive: Bogdanović
Analysis: On the surface, this is a good trade. The Suns get an elite scorer and best player in the deal in Bogdanović, who could help the Suns climb back into the top eight in the West. The Bucks receive, in theory, a solid two-way wing, and the Pistons get a 2023 first-round pick.
My only holdup is this: If you’re in the camp of Detroit being better next season, how does a pick that’ll likely be outside of the lottery help? Bogdanović isn’t perfect, but he’s a really good player. Next season, assuming Cade Cunningham is back to full health, Bogdanović, Cunningham and Jaden Ivey should make a very threatening offensive trio. That trio lacks defense, and Detroit certainly needs to find a legitimate two-way wing between now and next season, but you need good players to be good. Bogdanović is good.
Now, the Pistons could use that extra first-round pick and, let’s say the lottery doesn’t go their way, the No. 5 or No. 6 pick to go and get that wing they really need. That works.
I’ll finish with this: If you’re going to trade Bogdanović, and it’s not in a big, franchise-altering-type deal, getting an unprotected first-round pick is what you want. Ultimately, though, you have to just weigh the risk versus reward of making a trade like this and how it impacts Detroit being better next season.
Trade #2 — Collin H.
Pistons receive: Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro
Cavaliers receive: Bogdanović
Analysis: A year ago, a trade like this might have made sense for Detroit. Before the deadline in 2023? I don’t see it.
Bogdanović is better than LeVert, who is a good player in his own right. The former is also on a friendly contract despite being 33 years old. LeVert will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and would have to be persuaded to stay. With that, the Pistons have some of the most cap space in the NBA this summer. If they wanted to, they could just go after LeVert in the open market. No need to give up Bogdanović to do so.
As for Okoro, he is a good wing defender and would address a need for Detroit, but that’s about it. Okoro is also eligible for an extension at the same time as Killian Hayes, Bey and Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons have to make decisions on these three soon, so there’s really no point in adding a fourth 2020 draft pick into the fold.
It’s not a bad trade idea, but it’s not one that really benefits Detroit to do now.
Trade #3 — Moe S.
Pistons receive: Josh Hart and Gary Payton II
Trail Blazers receive: Bogdanović
Analysis: Sheesh. You guys really want to trade Bogey, huh?
Hart and Payton are solid role players. Both are tough and do the things the Pistons’ brass covet in terms of intangibles, but this trade doesn’t move the needle for me. Hart is a good rebounder for a guard, but he’s a streaky 3-point shooter. Payton is fine, but I’d like to see him succeed outside of Golden State for a little bit first. I would just rather have Bogdanović than Hart and Payton, or I’d rather take Bogdanović into the summer and then re-evaluate rather than do this trade in February.
Also, the underwhelming Trail Blazers are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. This trade doesn’t help them improve.
Gary Payton II (Troy Wayrynen/USA Today)
Trade #4 — Kevin K.
Pistons receive: Moses Moody and a 2023 first-round pick
Warriors receive: Bey and Cory Joseph
Analysis: Financially, this trade doesn’t work. However, I’ll entertain it to try and explain a broader point.
I know he’s had an up-and-down third season, but I’d still be nervous to trade Bey. Defensively, he’s got work to do and is better guarding bigger forwards rather than quicker perimeter players, but his growing ability to get a bucket and overall work ethic makes me continue to believe in him. However, the Pistons could definitely use more low-maintenance offensive threats, and Moody fits the bill.
I know it seems unlikely, but there is a world in which the Warriors’ 2023 first-round pick ends up in the lottery. As of me typing this, Golden State sits sixth in the Western Conference but is only 2 1/2 games back from being 13th. We all probably agree the Warriors will figure things out, but it’s definitely not a given.
With that in mind, I’m not sure the Warriors would be willing to part with their 2023 first-round pick ahead of the trade deadline. Eventually, they do have to start seriously planning for the next iteration of Golden State basketball. The Warriors’ high draft picks over the last few years, outside of Jonathan Kuminga, haven’t really provided the most optimism.
Detroit probably considers something like this, primarily with the hope that it turns into a lottery pick, but I’m not sure the Warriors do this. I’d assume that if they were going to use the 2023 first-round pick, it would be to make a splash.
The Pistons, I believe, would need a return similar to this (even though this specific one doesn’t work) to consider moving Bey.
Trade #5 —Andrew B.
Pistons receive: Duncan Robinson and an unprotected future first-round pick
Heat receive: Bogdanović
If dealing with the Heat, I’d certainly want a future first as opposed to one coming up. That roster is aging and could look much different two seasons from now.
I wouldn’t want Robinson, though. He’s still got two seasons left on his contract for a combined $38 million. The Heat signed the former Michigan Wolverine to this deal and still don’t even play him. Robinson is a bad defender and is struggling from 3 when he plays. His contract almost negates getting a first-round pick in return.
For Bogdanović, I’d need stuff a little more stable if I were a general manager. I know fans have concerns about his age, but Bogdanović currently has the highest usage of his career and has played in 49 of a possible 52 games. His usage will go down next season with Cunningham back in the fold and Ivey, most likely, taking another step.
People forget Bogdanović didn’t come into the NBA until he was 25. Even though he played professionally overseas before, I’d still say he’s a young 33. The fact he’s made it through this season without any serious injuries is encouraging.
(Top photo of Bojan Bogdanović: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
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