DETROIT — Bojan Bogdanovic was in his native country of Croatia on Friday when the Pistons acquired him in a trade with the Utah Jazz for veteran big man Kelly Olynyk and third-year guard Saben Lee.
As soon as Bogdanovic found out he would be joining the Pistons, he flew back to the U.S. so he could be in Detroit for the team's first meeting and team dinner on Sunday, ahead of the start of training camp. Trades are a normal part of the NBA, and while Bogdanovic is the new guy walking around the Pistons' practice facility, he's also one of the most experienced players on the roster.
The 33-year-old forward brings eight years of NBA experience and several years of professional overseas basketball experience to the Pistons. Bogdanovic said he knew he'd be dealt by Utah, which blew up its entire roster during the offseason in order to rebuild, but he wasn't sure where he'd land.
"I kind of knew that I was going to be traded. I was just waiting to see where I'm gonna end up," Bogdanovic said Tuesday after the Pistons' first practice of training camp.
"Super excited to be here with this young group of guys and a coach that is really experienced. Everything is great so far."
Bogdanović, at 6-foot-7, averaged 18.1 points, a career-high 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in nearly 31 minutes with the Jazz last season. He brings instant offense to a Pistons team that needed another playmaker who can create his own shot — and make those shots — especially from 3-point land.
Over the last three seasons with the Jazz, Bogdanovic knocked down 45% of his shots from the field, including 40% of his three-pointers. It's what he'll rely on, even if his role hasn't been specified by Pistons coach Dwane Casey and the rest of the coaching staff.
"We just started training camp, so we're going to talk about my role and the others on the team in the next couple of days probably, but I'm here to do and try to help however I can," Bogdanovic said.
Casey said after Tuesday's practice that the Pistons didn't want to lose Olynyk and Lee, but Bogdanovic's skill set was valuable and the trade cleared the logjam at center, which will allow rookie big man Jalen Duren an opportunity to earn some early minutes.
"(Bogdanovic is) more of a (dual forward). Smart. Can shoot the ball. Knows the game," Casey said. "Knows how to play without the ball and if you don't stay with him, it opens up space for Cade (Cunningham) and (Jaden) Ivey and Saddiq (Bey). I was watching him today. He's out there talking to guys, telling them what to do, how to do things; you cannot put an amount on that, and that's why he's valuable to us right now."
"He was always based on defense," Bogdanovic said when asked about Casey. "His mindset was always defense. He was part of a championship team, as well. He's one of the best and one of the most experienced guys in our league, so he's great for these young guys to have him lead them. I've had all great words about our coach."
Born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bogdanović got his pro basketball start in Europe, most notably, with Real Madrid in Spain and Fenerbahce in Turkey. He helped lead Fenerbahce to a Turkish Cup win in 2013 and a Turkish Supercup and Turkish League championship in 2014.
Drafted 31st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets, Bogdanović played overseas for three years before coming to the NBA in 2014. In 603 career NBA games, he’s averaged 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists with Brooklyn, Washington, Indiana and Utah.
Bogdanovic's sturdy build gives him the ability to play either forward spot, and he doesn't have a preference for either position, noting the Jazz's and Pacers' tendency to interchange him depending on lineups. He doesn't think he'll need to change his mindset in order to allow the Pistons' younger players to develop, either.
"I gotta do what I do," Bogdanovic said. "I'm going to be in every single game. I imagine I'm the oldest guy in here, I think, in the room. I have to be more present vocally. I gotta talk to young guys and try to direct them in the right direction, but my mindset is going to be the same. I want to be in every single game that I play."
As the oldest player on the Pistons' roster — and with valuable playoff experience — Bogdanovic will provide an added boost in 3-point shooting and create space for Cunningham and Ivey to operate inside the arc. His willingness to make it back to the United States in time for the first day of training camp is also notable.
"That says a lot about how he feels about Detroit,” Casey said.
