Grading the Utah Jazz-Detroit Pistons Trade
The Detroit Pistons sent forward Kelly Olynyk and guard Saben Lee to the Utah Jazz in exchange for forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
Detroit Pistons: A-
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The Pistons were able to flip a role player in Olynyk and a young guard for the sharpshooter Bogdanovic. The fact that the Pistons were able to acquire a player of Bogdanovicβs caliber without giving up any draft picks makes this an instant W for Detroit. Last season with Utah, Bogdanovic averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. This pick-up also signals the direction the Pistons and their front office are striving toward heading into this upcoming season. That is to compete for a spot in the play-in tournament and not fight for a top draft position in the lottery.
Bogdanovic, a career 39 percent three-point shooter, provides much-needed shooting and floor spacing for the young Detroit team. Acquiring a starting-caliber player for essentially role players just before you head into training camp makes this trade an A- grade for the Pistons.
Utah Jazz: C-
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This one is a head-scratcher for me for the Utah Jazz. The Jazz front office has shown a willingness to move on from players on their current roster, even shipping out their stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Their moves have focused on acquiring young talent and other assets, specifically draft picks. To not get any draft compensation from the Pistons was the biggest part of the deal that makes this a bad move for the Jazz, in my opinion.
Olynyk is a solid veteran piece, but he is still two full seasons from free agency. Saben Lee is a 23-year-old G-League standout who could never find his footing with the Pistons. Two nice players, but ultimately not the return I would have been looking for if I was a member of the Jazz front office for a starting-caliber sharpshooter. It makes you wonder, is it officially fire sale season with the remaining pieces of the Utah Jazz playoff roster? This trade grades a C- for Utah.
