NBA Rumors: Mavericks, Pistons Discussing Trade For Top Scorer

The Kyrie Irving Drama aside, the Dallas Mavericks need to make some moves this offseason to get back into the mix in the Western Conference. Currently, aside from Luka Doncic and—if they re-sign him—Irving, there's not a whole lot of scoring on the roster. But a trade scenario has emerged that could solve that problem.

According to Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN, the Detroit Pistons might be looking for another lottery pick, and just might be interested in Dallas's well-publicized No. 10 slot.  

Some trade scenarios could be in play for the Pistons with the No. 31 pick as well, for example, packaging Bojan Bogdanovic for Tim Hardaway Jr. and the No. 10 pick, sources tell ESPN.

New ESPN mock draft floats idea of Mavericks trading 10th pick, Tim Hardaway Jr. for Bojan Bogdanovic https://t.co/jvIJIdNEFw pic.twitter.com/dm8Q58uTJr

— Mavs Moneyball (@mavsmoneyball) June 15, 2023

The Mavericks, famously, held on to their No. 10 pick by tanking in the final couple of games of the regular season to ensure it didn't transfer to the New York Knicks. They paid the price for it (a $750K fine from the NBA), but if the end result is being able to add a consistent and reliable veteran scorer like Bojan Bogdanovic, it will have been more than well worth it for Dallas. 

Bogdanovic, 34, was the Pistons' top scorer this past season, with a career-high 21.6 points per game, while filling it up from long range at 41.1%. He's averaged close to 19 points over the past five seasons. 

As for the Pistons, they're putting together quite the collection of promising young players, with elite talents like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and James Wiseman. Add to that their No. 5 pick in next week's draft, and perhaps, if this deal would come to fruition, the No. 10 as well. 

Expect plenty of trading fireworks to go down by next Thursday's 2023 NBA Draft.

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports