NBA Rumors: Lakers & Pistons In Trade Talks

The Los Angeles Lakers are "prioritizing shooting" in trade talks, says NBA Insider Shams Charania. That, of course, is not much of a surprise to anyone who's followed the team for the past couple of years. But now Charania and fellow insider Marc Stein are both reporting that trade discussions have taken place with the Detroit Pistons for their premium veteran sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic.

"Sources say that the Lakers recently offered a trade package to Detroit for Bogdanović centered around one future first-round pick with unspecified draft protections attached," writes Stein. Charania reveals much the same from his sources. 

The Pistons, according to Stein, have insisted on a fully unprotected future first from the Lakers to seriously entertain a Bogdanović swap. But, he adds, Detroit is telling most teams that approach them about a Bogey trade (and there have been about 12 teams that fall into that inquiring group), that they really want to keep the 8-year veteran. It's possible that it's merely a negotiating ploy, muses Stein, as the rest of the very young Pistons' roster is on a very different timeline from the 33-year-old Bodganovic. 

But the veteran has added a leadership element to the young group, both on and off the floor. He's also having a career year, averaging 21 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 50.8% from the field and a marvelous 43.7% from downtown. 

The Lakers are going to have up their offer to have any shot at prying him loose from the grips of the Motor City.

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