Lakers Acquire Bojan Bogdanovic In Proposed Deal Before Trade Deadline

There are fewer than 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline, and teams must accept their rosters as they are now built. The Lakers have failed to make a trade this season, despite being 27-25 and outside the Western Conference’s top six. All eyes are on the purple and gold in the last hours before the deadline, as they sorely require new energy in their locker room.

If the Lakers are unable to match the price Lakers Acquire Bojan Bogdanovic In Proposed Deal Before Trade Deadlineof a major upgrade such as Dejounte Murray, they can look into a variety of trades for high-level secondary players. They’ve been linked with Bojan Bogdanovic several times in recent years, and this deadline is the best opportunity for the Lakers to bring

The Detroit Pistons are the NBA’s poorest club, with a record of 6-43. No move can restore their season, but they may begin laying the groundwork for a bright future by altering the roster. Moving Bogdanovic, 35, would be a decent start on that front.

Trade Details:

Pistons acquire Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2025 second-round pick (LAC), and 2027 second-round pick (LAL).

Lakers receive Bojan Bogdanovic and Killian Hayes.

The Pistons have already moved away players this season, including Marvin Bagley III. Detroit has been waiting two years for someone to provide a first-round selection in exchange for Bogdanovic, but they have yet to get one. This transaction allows them to receive not just a talented young player but also a few second-round picks.

The Pistons Start Preparing For Next Season

What exactly are the Pistons playing for? They are rooted to the bottom of the NBA and will be hoping for a competitive 2024-25 season after this year’s calamity. The addition of Rui Hachimura may be quite intriguing for a Pistons team that is lacking in quality wings. While they are likely to select a wing with their top-five draft pick in 2024, they require an NBA-proven player on a comparable schedule to improve their team.

This season, Rui Hachimura averages 11.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in a limited role for the Lakers. He might be a valuable addition to the Pistons as a multi-position frontcourt player. Gabe Vincent joins the Lakers as a veteran looking to reestablish himself following an injury-plagued season. Another benefit of this deal is that it allows the Pistons to get rid of Killian Hayes, who had a difficult season.

These acquisitions put Detroit in position to have a roster that can grow together. Bojan was seen as a tremendous senior player for Detroit, but his leadership did little to enhance their on-court performance. It is best that Detroit accepts this season for what it is.

The Lakers add a veteran scorer and backup guard.
The Lakers have had a number of team needs to meet in recent years, including shooting and playmaking, but it has proven difficult for the franchise. The shooters they sign forget how to shoot consistently after joining them, and the playmakers develop one-note playstyles that render them ineffective in a system with LeBron James.

Bogdanovic is averaging 20.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 41.5% from three this season. Even if his numbers haven’t helped the Lakers win games, he could be a viable third option. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will always be the team’s leaders, but players like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves have emerged as tertiary stars in wins. Neither can do it consistently, so adding Bogdanovic expands the Lakers’ options.

Killian Hayes, who averaged 6.9 points and 4.8 assists this season, has become a fan meme. He will not be a high-impact player, but 15 minutes as a backup guard is a respectable alternative. His size and defensive ability provide the Lakers with a different guard option. Hayes will also be a better choice than freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino.

Can This Move Help the Lakers Become a Top Six Team?

The Lakers’ main goal this season is to make a competitive postseason run. While they wouldn’t mind entering the postseason after their third play-in tournament appearance in four years, they’d want to finish in the top six. They are currently 3.5 games behind the No. 6 seeded Phoenix Suns. A gap like that can be readily overcome, but only if the Lakers make the appropriate moves before the trade deadline.

Bojan offers diverse scoring from almost every level of the court. His defense has deteriorated significantly as he has gotten older, but the Lakers can expect him to remain locked in for key possessions or late-game circumstances. The optimal fit surrounding LeBron and AD was proved to be veterans in 2020, and this acquisition adds just that while keeping the core of their youthful roster intact.

The Pistons can continue Hachimura’s development. Even if Rui does not develop into a long-term asset, the Pistons may simply trade him given the years remaining on his deal.