NBA Trade Deadline: Evaluating Bojan Bogdanovic Packages

The Oklahoma City Thunder could really improve their roster with the addition of sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons.
NBA Trade Deadline: Evaluating Bojan Bogdanovic Packages
NBA Trade Deadline: Evaluating Bojan Bogdanovic Packages /

The Oklahoma City Thunder (35-16) could take advantage of Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline by grabbing Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons to give themselves another scoring threat off the bench. 


Bojan Bogdanovic
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Notable Stats and Skills

The massive selling point for Bojan Bogdanovic is his shooting ability. Turning in 41 percent from beyond the arc this season, Bogdanovic a career 39 percent shooter from distance, and has not been blow 38 percent from 3-point land since the 2016-17 NBA season. He has only dipped below that mark twice in his nine-year NBA career. 

In those nine years, the veteran wing has enjoyed 47 postseason games, shooting 38 percent in those tilts, and has reached the second round of the playoffs twice in his career to this point. 

The 34-year-old is averaging 20.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 stocks per game for the Detroit Pistons. With shooting splits of 46/41/77, the sharpshooter can certainly pack a punch on the perimeter. 

Contract Situation 

Bogdanovic is owed $20 million this season and has a partially guaranteed salary of $19 million next season. He would be an unrestricted free agent in 2025 but could be waived this summer for just $2 million. 

Fit with the Thunder

Oklahoma City could use Bogdanovic's floor spacing in certain stretches late in games while being pushed over the edge with his scoring threat playing alongside their secondary unit. If the Thunder got his scoring production to eliminate their mid-game dry spells on the offensive end, it could take an already top team in the Western Conference and make them better. 

On top of his raw shooting numbers from distance, Bogdanovic hits spot up shots at a 48 percent clip, posted 39 percent on catch-and-shoot looks, and takes advantage of a fly by with his off the dribble shooting going for 45 percent in those scenarios. 

Bogdanovic is turning in 1.241 points per possession in transition, a point per possession as a pick-and-roll ball handler, and 1.105 points per possession when scoring off handoffs. All ways that he can thrive in the secondary unit with Oklahoma City, who stagger starters to the reserves at the start of the second and fourth frames.

A two-man game with Jaylin Williams' high-post handoffs could be lethal, cashing in off of open looks when the defense commits to Jalen Williams or running a pick-and-roll with Chet Holmgren. 

The ability for Mark Daigneault to roll out Bogdanovic and Joe late in games when it turns into an offense-defense affair or a critical moment calls for a hunted 3 out of a timeout; the veteran would provide a massive boost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

On the defensive end, Bogdanovic grades out as average according to Synergy, and with the caliber of defenders Oklahoma City could put around him, he should, at worst, maintain that level. Being a hideable defensive four while knocking down big shots in bench stretches of games. 

Market Value 

While the Detroit Pistons have played a game of chicken on the trade market to this point, Wednesday, the franchise made two swaps to tip off the final hours before the deadline. Troy Weaver has played coy about their willingness to part from the veteran sharpshooter, but the Thunder could entice them. 

Weaver and company are commanding a first-round pick for Bogdanovic, which the Thunder could provide with picks to spare in a lackluster 2024 NBA Draft. 


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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network.