After trading for Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers are a bit deeper, younger and more athletic and physically gifted than they were before. However, they’re not necessarily done making moves.
They continue to be linked to Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, a 6-foot-7 veteran forward who is a bona fide 3-point sniper. He is currently averaging 21.5 points per game while shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc and 49.1 percent overall.
The Lakers badly need improved 3-point shooting, and he would be perhaps the ideal man to address that weakness, especially given that he attempts 6.0 3-pointers a game this season.
However, the Pistons are reportedly not budging on their high asking price for the 33-year-old sharpshooter.
Via The Athletic:
“Per league sources, as of late January, the Pistons, who have aspirations of turning a corner next season, would need significant value in return to consider moving Bogdanović within the next two weeks, with the minimum starting point being an unprotected first-round pick. Detroit values Bogdanović highly and doesn’t want to move him unless an overwhelming offer makes too much sense.
“Rival teams will continue to call, and the Pistons will continue to listen, but all indications so far are that teams aren’t yet willing to go above and beyond to pry Bogdanović away from the Motor City.”
Los Angeles has been unwilling to give up an unprotected future first-round draft pick in virtually any potential deal. However, it is reportedly willing to give up a lottery-protected first-round pick for Bogdanovic.
Detroit is currently 12-37, which is the worst record in the Eastern Conference, which would make it seem like it would be more willing to jettison someone like Bogdanovic who has two years left on his contract after this one.
He will make $20 million next season and just over $19 million for the 2024-25 campaign.
