Pro FitX Staff – 9/22/22

Earlier in the week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Utah Jazz have agreed to trade Bojan Bogdanovic to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Saben Lee and Kelly Olynyk.

After consulting the NBA Athledex platform, and looking primarily at the three players involved and the performance trajectory of both teams, this might prove to be a good deal for all those involved.

 

Saben Lee

If Utah prioritizes the development of Lee as the part of the rebuilding process, then there is significant upside. In contrast, Lee was a part of Detroit, but didn’t quite seem to fit in their plans with a crowded backcourt. What’s happening with Lee right now, could be just the opportunity and change of scenery necessary for Lee to grow.

Offense:

When comparing the trade and roster make up of both teams, Lee appears to be a better fit with the offensive playing style for the Utah Jazz.

Defense: 

With the likes of big guards such as Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Beasley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and physical wing players like Stanley, Johnson, Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio, the Perimeter Defense for the Utah Jazz projects to be a strength heading into the new season. With the Jazz’s new head coach, Will Hardy, this roster construction bodes well with his defensive schemes quite nicely.

   

 Bojan Bogdanovic

Bogdanovic’s offensive prowess has allowed him to consistently play an All-Star level throughout his career. And with his constant reliability, basketball enthusiasts continue to appreciate what he brings to the game in this modern-day era of the NBA. He finished the 2022 season by improving his overall performance output by 4% from last year, and now that he’s on the Detroit Pistons, they add a reliable scoring presence to an exciting young roster. In addition, Bogdanovic brings veteran leadership to a locker room that should only help in building Detroit’s culture moving forward.

During his final season with Utah, Bogdanovic finished with a Real-Time Contract Value of $22.1M. This year he’ll be on the last year of his contract, and could become a valuable trade asset at the trade deadline for playoff teams looking to make a final push.

If Utah prioritizes the development of Lee as the part of the rebuilding process, then there is significant upside. Lee was apart of Detroit, but never really in their plans with a crowded backcourt. This could be the opportunity and change of scenery necessary for Lee to grow.

   

Kelly Olynyk 

This year Olynyk heads to the Jazz in search of an expanded role, and he might be well on his way after the Jazz cleaned house with Rudy Gobert (who is now with the Timberwolves). Last year, Kelly was marred by injuries for the first half of the season in Detroit. This year, however, Olynyk will look to return to his 2020 form that landed him a 3 year/$37M deal in the summer of 2021.    

ProFitX Trade Grades : Detroit: A-, Utah: B+