the Detroit Pistons We have two major trade candidates in Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Borks. Both veterans were among the top scorers in the NBA in their respective roles.
In some eyes, they’re luxuries on a Pistons rebuilding team that might be better served by Victor Wimpanyama, rather than sticking around two players who can be flipped for assets while the market is hot.
However, the Pistons front office has set a high asking price for both players, sources say. It seems likely that both players will remain in Detroit after the February 9 trade deadline expires, unless the Colts make a big bid. The Pistons want to compete next season. If one doesn’t meet the asking price, they can simply bring Bogdanovic and Burks into the off-season and re-evaluate from there.
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NBA Cap, FTA expert and Spotrac.com contributor Keith Smith join “Pulse of the Pistons” podcast This week to discuss the commercial value of Bogdanovic and Burks and how the Pistons should move forward. Smith is a fan of the 33-year-old Bogdanovic with an average of 21.5 points He earned 49.1% of total shooting and 42.3% of 3-point range, and is thought to be underrated throughout the league.
The Pistons want a big capital project for Bogdanovic, and Smith agrees to the high price.
“He’s great,” Smith said, “and I don’t think he’s been appreciated enough for what he has been for almost his whole career.” “He could be really good. He could be your offensive engine, he could be your fourth guy. There aren’t a lot of guys in the NBA that can fill those two roles. A lot of these guys, you put them in the third and fourth player role and they just disappear and they’re not happy and all He’s a good player, he’s good at playing off the man and he’s good with the ball in his hands as the main attacking maker.”
Bogdanovic has been the best offensive player this season and is a major reason the team has been better offensively per possession than last season – though still ranked 28th both years – even without Kid Cunningham. The Croatian striker’s name has been embroiled in trade rumors all season, and the Pistons have been getting a lot of calls about his readiness. To date, no team has met the asking price.
The Pistons traded for Bogdanovic in September and only gave up veteran kicker Kelly Olynyk and previously second-round draft pick Sabin Lee. At the end of October, they extended Bogdanovic to a two-year, $39.1 million team friend extension with a second-year warranty in part in the amount of $2 million. Trade and mentorship, Smith said, were of great value and increased Bogdanović’s value.
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Smith expects the Pistons to have about $43.8 million in space available this summer. It gives them two ingredients to make next season’s post-season boost.
“I don’t know I’d stray far from asking price if I were in Detroit because I really think he’s good, and I think there’s a place for him on any team next year,” said Smith. “I think the goal next year should be, this is our season ahead. I’m not saying you have to be (the Cleveland Cavaliers) and jump up to fourth or fifth in the conference. But you have to push forward, we have to be in the range 6- 10, at least in play. We’re really going to rush into that and that’s where we have to go, just because rebuilds get impatient very quickly, whether players, front office, ownership or fans. And when you lose patience in rebuilding, that’s when you commit Silly mistakes and start doing really stupid things.
“You can keep him, still have $40 million in cap space and be absolutely fine with,” let’s add pieces around this and together we should be able to craft a pretty good roster. It’s an interesting place, to me, if only because there are so many avenues you can go with it.”
Birx, 31, is with an average of 13.3 points He had 45% of total shooting and 43.6% on 3-point shooting, and was one of the most effective bench guards in the league. Unlike Bogdanovic, Smith believes the Pistons should move on from Burks, who owns Team option at $10.5 million This is an offseason.
Smith likened the Pistons that keep Burks to a baseball team that rebuilds the team well. Nice to have, but too much of a luxury for a team that needs to dedicate assets elsewhere. He said a late first-round selection would be very valuable to the Pistons if the team was desperate enough.
“What’s really changed for me for Alec Burks is the last few years, has he turned off the lights this year,” Smith said. “But the two years before that, he was really good too. He was always more of a shaky shooter. His role now is really good, he’s combo guard off the bench. You can let him run some things. He can play the ball. He’s a cutter. Really good.
“It should be less talked about today, because he’s playing well, but what does he do with that? I don’t think it’s going to do you any good if you’re in Detroit. I’m not trying to win games now. Not that they’re trying to lose, but it doesn’t matter if He’s been helping you get four more wins this year.Is that a good thing?I’m not quite sure.But when you look at it with him next year,is he $10 million on our books or is it better if he’s with someone else and we have $10 million in Cover space? Just don’t take any money for the long haul. Try to increase your flexibility more, especially for guys who won’t be on the books anyway.”
hold the “Pulse of the Pistons” podcast Every Tuesday, with Free Press beat writer Omari Sankofa II and former Division One player and current analyst Bryce Simon. Listen to all of our programs on freep.comAnd an AppleAnd Spotify Or wherever you upload podcasts.