Rebuilding NBA teams tend to be compared to each other. It’s inevitable. When two teams start from scratch at the same time, they occupy the same timeline. Moving forward, there will be discussions about whose rebuilding process is going more smoothly.
Fans of the Detroit Pistons may not want to participate in those conversations. Their rebuild isn’t going better than anybody’s. The Pistons are the worst team in the NBA. They were the worst team in the NBA last year as well.
By contrast, the Houston Rockets are growing. After adding some veterans this summer, they’re arguably not even rebuilding anymore. The goal in Houston is to win games. Could they acquire Bojan Bogdanovic from the Pistons to accomplish that goal?
The Trade Proposal
Detroit Pistons receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, C Jock Landale, C Boban Marjanovic, 2024 First-Round Pick (BKN via HOU)
Houston Rockets receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
Are the Rockets still rebuilding? It’s an interesting question. Some teams around the league have no interest in developing young players. For other teams, that’s their exclusive concern. The Rockets land somewhere in the middle.
This team is not in the play-in picture without veteran Fred VanVleet. Dillon Brooks has been impactful as well. The Rockets are not entirely leaning on their young core. Does that mean that their rebuild is over?
We wouldn’t go that far. Alperen Sengun has been the best player on this team in 2023-24. Jabari Smith Jr. is making strides, and when healthy, so is Tari Eason. Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore have flashed potential. The Rockets have chosen an unconventional rebuilding path. Should they sink a valuable asset into Bogdanovic?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
It’s debatable. Looking at this team’s needs, Bogdanovic is both a perfect and subpar fit. That’s complicated. Allow us to explain.
The Rockets don’t necessarily need a forward. As it stands, Whitmore is seeing time at the 2 just to make room for him in the rotation. Between Brooks, Smith Jr., and Eason, the Rockets have a deep cast of quality wings.
On the other hand, they need shooting – badly. The Rockets have some of the poorest floor spacing in the NBA. In theory, they could squeeze everyone into the rotation and still accommodate Bogdanovic. He’s one of the best shooters in the league and he’ll make an already-competitive Rockets team better. Should the Pistons part with him?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
The Rockets have been competitive. By contrast, the Pistons are a mess. They could far exceed expectations for the rest of the season, and they still wouldn’t make the play-in tournament.
So, why not sacrifice the rest of the season? The Pistons should be sellers at the deadline. There’s no reason to hang onto Bogdanovic. The Pistons should trade him to the highest bidder.
Here, they’re landing a valuable asset. The Nets are having a weak season in their own right – this will likely be a lottery pick. It would be wise for the Pistons to move Bogdanovic for that pick – even if it puts them behind the Rockets in their rebuild.
