4 NBA veterans doing too much for their rebuilding teams

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 18: Mike Conley #11 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a three point play during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Arena on November 18, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. Bojan Bogdanovic — Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons traded Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Bogdanovic earlier this year, around one month before the season’s tip-off. It was a rather interesting deal considering both the Pistons and the Jazz rebuilding plans for this year, or so we assumed.

Truth be told, Utah had already completed the trades to get rid of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert so it’s not that they were probably thinking about contending as early as this season. The same goes for Detroit, which had no starter to trade away so couldn’t even think about that, instead drafting two studs in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duran with their eyes more on the future than the present.

So, why adding Bojan Bogdanovic? First, to get rid of another veteran in Kelly Olynyk (who is himself overperforming and not helping Utah’s plans). Second, to establish a winning culture around the locker room and to give the youngsters someone to build their character around.

What Detroit wasn’t expecting, most probably, is the type of production Bogdanovic is handing the Pistons on a nightly basis.

Bogdanovic is scoring 20.3 points per game through his 22 games played this season. He’s just one of 47 players doing that, and one of only seven men aged 33 or older in the NBA currently averaging such a gaudy scoring figure.

As if the scoring alone wasn’t enough to hurt the Pistons’ losing ways (they’re still sucking, don’t sweat it if you’re from Motown), Bogdanovic has been good to put up 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Veteranship, minutes, and production. Something every contender would covet and any rebuilding team would try to get rid of as soon as possible.

Home/NBA