Bojan Bogdanovic‘s high trade value makes him the Pistons player most likely to be dealt this season, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic writes in a mailbag column. Detroit considered several offers for the veteran swingman last season before opting to hold onto him. The Pistons are hoping to contend for a play-in spot, and they view Bogdanovic as an important part of that effort.
Part of Bogdanovic’s appeal is his team-friendly contract, which pays him $20MM for the upcoming season and carries just a $2MM guarantee on his $19MM salary for 2024/25. The deal won’t become fully guaranteed until late June of next year.
Second on Edwards’ list is Monte Morris, who was acquired from the Wizards during the offseason. Morris has a $9.8MM expiring contract, and he’ll be competing for playing time with young guards Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser, who are all expected to be part of Detroit’s long-term future.
Rounding out the list, in order, are Alec Burks, Joe Harris and Marvin Bagley, but Edwards cautions that things could change if the Pistons are still in contention for a postseason spot around the trade deadline.
There’s more from Detroit:
- Isaiah Livers will head into training camp with the widest range of outcomes, having a chance to be the starting power forward or out of the rotation entirely, Edwards adds. He says Livers has the skills to be a 3-and-D forward, but his playing time will depend on how reliable he becomes from beyond the arc. He connected on 36.5% of his three-point attempts last season.
- Coming off a strong rookie season, Jalen Duren is the pre-camp favorite to win the starting center job, according to Keith Langlois of NBA.com. Duren was the NBA’s youngest player last season, but he managed to lead all rookies in total rebounds, offensive rebounds and dunks. He continued to impress at Summer League and as a member of the Select Team that scrimmaged against Team USA in Las Vegas. “I just feel good. Coming in last year, trying to figure everything out, trying to get to know the new game, the new league, it was a lot,” he said. “Now, going through my first offseason, coming back into my second year in the NBA, a lot more confidence, a lot more understanding of how it works.”
- Former Pistons great Richard Hamilton, who’s now a CBS Sports analyst, likes the young roster that general manager Troy Weaver has put together, per Tony Paul of The Detroit News.“It’s gonna take time, you know, I don’t want to rush it, but I just feel as thought we got a great core of young guys,” Hamilton said. “And we’re starting to build around young guys. And the young guys are eventually gonna become veterans.”
People are sleeping on Wiseman. He is going to do very well!
What gives you that idea?
I like Wiseman, Duren, Stewart. All are solid. Hoping Monty uses Wiseman wisely. Pistons can make the playoffs this yr.
He won’t. He will want him guarding the PG
You don’t give up a tantalizing explosive mobile fast decent shooting 7 ft 22-year-old if he has a future. The Warriors hung on as long as they could to see what they had and decided to cut bait on the number 2 pick.
Either the Warriors are idiots or Wiseman won’t amount to much. I’ve placed my bet already.
Come on man. He could have been in G-league for two yrs. At worst you get a top rim protector and rebounder. Tell me you can’t use that. I still think he has upside. Warriors not only gave up. They gave him away.
And I’m still pissed we didn’t keep Duren man. Remember I was saying draft him trade Mitch. Rather have Duren than the pick we got.
Bojan, Hayes and Bagley for either a young PF or SF ( or pick,) with a bad contract. Figure out if Duren will play PF, if not pick between Wiseman or Duren
Starters PG. Cunningham SG Ivey SF Thompson PF Duren C Wiseman. Draft Holland next year.
Livers starting at PF lol. Pistons are chopped liver