Time flies in the NBA. It feels like it was yesterday that the 2023-24 season was getting underway. Soon, teams won’t even be allowed to make trades anymore.
The deadline is rapidly approaching. The league’s landscape is beginning to take shape. We’ve got some idea of who the likely buyers and sellers will be. Veteran teams having disappointing seasons are most likely to look to improve their roster.
Take the Golden State Warriors. It’s been a wildly underwhelming season for this organization. The Warriors could easily make a significant trade at the deadline. Could they make a move for Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons?
The Trade Proposal
Detroit Pistons receive: G/F Andrew Wiggins, G/F Gary Payton III, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW)
Golden State Warriors receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic, G Monte Morris
Before the season got underway, we didn’t know how it would play out. Some teams have defied our expectations. We thought their season would go one way, and instead, it’s gone another.
Take the Pistons. Nobody penciled them in for title contention. The Pistons were supposed to be a lottery team. With that said, they weren’t supposed to be the worst team in the NBA – again. The Pistons were supposed to take a step forward, and if anything, they’ve regressed.
By contrast, the Warriors were supposed to be in the title picture. Currently, they’re at risk of missing the playoffs. Several key players in this group seem to be aging out of their prime. Could acquiring Bogdanovic get the Warriors back in the title race?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
Several key Warriors may be feeling the effects of age. That doesn’t explain Wiggins’ season. He should be in the thick of his prime. Instead, he’s been among the most disappointing Warriors in 2023-24.
Here, the team is flipping him for a tremendous upgrade. Bogdanovic is the type of shot-creator who can ease Steph Curry’s offensive burden. Meanwhile, he can space the floor as reliably as anyone in the NBA. Monte Morris is a solid contributor who could usurp Chris Paul in this team’s rotation as well.
Should the Warriors part with a first-round pick? It’s debatable. We’ll only say that if they’re unwilling to give up this type of asset, they’re not going to contend in 2023-24. Adding Bogdanovic should prepare them for a deep playoff run. Should the Pistons part with their sharpshooter?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Some Pistons fans may be disappointed by this proposal. They were hoping to see Jonathan Kuminga’s name. Are we sure that the Pistons should be taking on more raw, young talent to develop?
At the same time, they probably shouldn’t be buyers at the deadline, either. The Pistons are more than a trade or two away from respectability. This season is already lost for Detroit. With that in mind, it would be sensible to pick up some assets at the deadline.
That’s what they’re doing here. Meanwhile, Bogdanovic may be the best player in this deal., but even this version of Wiggins is a better defender. He may satisfy this team’s needs more if he can round back into form. The Pistons can afford to wait on Wiggins – if they’re lucky, the time will fly by.
