Why Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic will get traded to the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are rumored to be interested in trading for Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic. The 33-year-old is averaging 21.1 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the field and 42.2 percent on his 3-point attempts this season. The Pistons currently have the third-worst record in the league, and Cade Cunningham had season-ending surgery. Detroit is still in the middle of a rebuild, so trading Bogdanovic appears likely before the Feb. 9 deadline.

This is not the first time the Mavs have been linked to Bogey, but Jake Fischer reports the asking price is high. The Pistons want at least one first-round draft pick and a young player or additional draft capital for Bogdanovic. It is a hefty price considering they acquired him for Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee in September. Lee is no longer with the Jazz, and Olynyk is not fetching anywhere near that return.

Fischer listed the Mavericks as one of four suitors for Bogdanovic, but here is a look at why Dallas will be the team that trades for the veteran forward.

Bojan Bogdanovic is exactly the player this Dallas Mavericks team needs

The Mavs live and die by their outside shooting, but they do not have a true marksman on their roster. Bogdanovic is a career 39.4 percent 3-point shooter that has shot north of 40 percent in four of the last six seasons. He would give Dallas an elite shooter that can score 20 points per game and play stout perimeter defense. The 6'7 forward creates more room for Luka Doncic to attack and would make his defender think twice about crashing into the paint to stop a number 77 drive.

Head coach Jason Kidd has preached defense since joining the Mavericks, and Bogdanovic increases their versatility. They have struggled to guard elite scoring wings since Dorian Finney-Smith has been out. By adding Bogey, the Mavs have two forwards big enough to check Kawhi Leonard and Paul George or Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The market for ball handlers, especially difference-making ones appears thin, so do not be surprised to see the Mavericks pivot to adding a shooter that can defend well on the perimeter and score 20 points per game if needed. Bojan Bogdanovic is that player and fits perfectly with the current Dallas roster. His recent contract extension will only further add to the appeal for the Mavs.