Dallas Mavericks Express Interest In Trading For Bojan Bogdanovic

The rumors are starting to swirl, with December 15 fast approaching. Rumors have already linked one member of the Detroit Pistons to the Dallas Mavericks, and Dallas may have another Motor City player in its sights.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Mavericks are one of several teams who have expressed interest in trading for sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic. Scotto reports that the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Atlanta Hawks are also interested in him.

Bogdanovic is in the final season of a four-year, $73.1 million contract that he signed with the Utah Jazz in 2019 and will earn $19.34 million this year. Utah traded him to Detroit last summer as new Jazz general manager Danny Ainge cleared the books.

With the Pistons, Bogdanovic, 33, is playing some of the best basketball of his career. He’s averaging career-highs in points (21), field goal percentage (.508), three-point percentage (.437) and assists (2.4).

Dallas got off to a sluggish start to the season, especially offensively. While things are trending in the right direction of late, the Mavericks’ overall record is mediocre, with the team hovering around .500.

Adding Bogdanovic could give Dallas the offensive spark it’s looking for, but acquiring him could be costly. Further, because of his value, Detroit would almost certainly be in the driver’s seat for any potential trade.

The Mavericks could trade Davis Bertans straight up for Bogdanovic. Doing so would get Dallas out from under the remaining three years of his current contract. However, Detroit would likely want more than just a player swap for Bogdanovic.

The Pistons are a lottery team looking to build through the draft. Including a draft pick could sweeten the deal, but the Mavericks’ hands may be tied.

Dallas owes the New York Knicks a first-round draft pick. It’s a top-10 protected pick, which means it will likely convey to New York next summer, barring a complete collapse by the Mavericks. The team also doesn’t have a second-round pick in 2023.

Acquiring Bogdanovic doesn’t present the most straightforward path, but given the team’s struggles this season, the Dallas front office is right to make inquiries. He likely won’t be the last player rumors link to the Mavericks in the days and weeks ahead.