NBA Rumors: Lakers, Pistons Talking Trade

Two separate rumors that have been persistent this NBA season could be converging: The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking for some shooting, and the Detroit Pistons' Bojan Bogdanovic is a prime candidate to be dealt (despite the team's statements to the contrary). One report has a two-for-one deal in the works:

REPORT: Los Angeles Lakers & Detroit Pistons have discussed a trade that would send Bojan Bogdanovic & Nerlens Noel to Los Angeles.

What would the Lakers have to send back? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CtM9BJFSwq

— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) January 14, 2023

According to Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated, the Lakers and Pistons have discussed a deal that would bring both Bogdanovic and center Nerlens Noel to L.A.

And since Detroit has set a definite minimum price of a first-round pick in exchange for its leading scorer, the Lakers would have to surrender one of those vaunted 2027 or 2029 first-rounders in any such trade. 

Much has been said about Bogdanovic, who the Pistons brought in this season to be a veteran presence for their young core, but he's overachieved to even what they had expected, leading the team at 21.2 points per game, while shooting 41.5% from three. They keep saying they don't want to move him, but then they set a price for what it'll take to land him. So he is a trade possibility.

As for Noel, the eight-year veteran was just a salary-filler throw-in to the Pistons in a draft-day deal with the New York Knicks. He's only played 12 games this season and averages less than 12 minutes in those contests. He has started the last three games due to a rash of Pistons injuries up front. He's at 2.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and nearly a block per game. The Lakers could use another backup big, so he could actually be of use for them.

Photo: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports