The Toronto Raptors are not a team that is going to turn down the opportunity to acquire a standout shooter in the trade market. With the Utah Jazz liquidating all of their available veteran talent, getting Bojan Bogdanovic would have been the cherry on top of this offseason.
While Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley have also been thrown into the rumor mill over the last few weeks, Bogdanovic makes the most sense as a Raptors trade acquisition. Given how he has averaged over 18 points a game in Utah, he could have been a dynamic perimeter player despite his age.
Teams from all over the league, from known contenders to play-in teams trying to distinguish themselves as viable opponents, have sent Utah offers for Bojan. Rather than send Bogdanovic to a contender for a first-round pick, Danny Ainge sent him to a rebuilding team fresh off a poor season.
Bogdanovic was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for veteran big man Kelly Olynyk and young wing Saben Lee. That’s not exactly the most extravagant trade package in the world, leading some to wonder why the Raptors could not pull the trigger.
The Detroit Pistons are finalizing a trade to acquire Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic for Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022
The Toronto Raptors couldn’t trade for Bojan Bogdanovic.
Some Raptors fans might get irritated at the fact Bogdanovic was acquired for two backups and no first-round picks. However, Toronto lacked the financial flexibility to acquire him without involving a third team. That doesn’t make the sting of seeing him go to Dwane Casey’s team any less painful.
Bogdanovic likely would not have started for the Raptors, but he could have contended for a Sixth Man of the Year award if he ended up making the trip up north. He lacks terrific athletic ability, but that hasn’t stopped him from finding ways to contribute in his advanced age.
Not only is Bogdanovic a bit long in the tooth, but he’s coming to Detroit at a time when they are not expected to make a postseason run. With Bogdanovic a free agent after this season, he is a bit of an awkward fit in their timeline. At least Cade Cunningham will have an experienced gunner at small forward.
#Pistons Bojan Bogdanovic is due $19.6M this year on an expiring deal.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) September 22, 2022
Olynyk had $12.8M this year and another $12.2M next year, so the Weaver helps the books there.
Lee had $1.8M this year and a team option for $1.9M next year.
The Raptors’ inability to get Bogdanovic, who was linked to Toronto heavily in the offseason, likely means that they are going to put down the trade phone and work on figuring out which of the 20 guys they have right now are worthy of making the roster. Still, it would’ve been cool to snatch him up.