Pistons Keep Faith In Bojan Bogdanovic As Croatian Standout Agrees To Two-Year Deal

KEY POINTS

Bojan Bogdanovic proves to be a good fit for the young Pistons quintet
The Pistons hopes that Bogdanovic will stay the course to guide the team's young core
Most of the former Jazz starters are performing well with their respective new ballclubs

Bojan Bogdanovic won't be going anywhere outside Detroit at least until the 2024-25 NBA season.

Contrary to claims that the Croatian was looking for a multi-year extension, Bogdanovic has reportedly agreed to a $39.1 million contract extension with the Detroit Pistons that would keep him there until the 2024-25 campaign, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The 33-year-old forward is in the final year of the four-year, $73 million deal he originally signed with the Utah Jazz in 2019.

Bogdanovic ended up in Detroit as part of the trade involving Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee plus cash considerations.

He was also one of several veterans dealt away by the Jazz who appear to be rebuilding after successive shortcomings in past NBA seasons.

Among those who were shipped to other teams include Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers).

Most of the players dealt away by the Jazz have been performing well, including Bogdanovic who has so far appeared in six games and started alongside Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.

"Whenever I step on the court, I want to win the game," Bogdanovic stated. "That's the case even here, I know that we are a young team, but it's the same situation that I had all my career with the Jazz, Pacers, or whatever. But I still want to win the game and every single player on the court is doing the same and trying to play hard."

The Croatian forward has put up impressive numbers, averaging 23 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists in 31.2 minutes of action.

Moreover, he is shooting 51.7% from the field and 51.1% from beyond the arc.

With his performance so far, Pistons coach Dwane Casey stressed that the arrival of Bogdanovic has been a godsend.

Cunningham also hailed the 31st pick of the 2011 NBA Draft earlier this week.

"He's very knowledgeable about the game and he shares his knowledge. He doesn't hold it to himself. He makes sure all of us are on the same page. He talks to us a lot. It's fun to play with a guy like that who has such a high IQ and cares about winning so much," Cunningham stated.

It was in 2014 when Bogdanovic made his NBA debut with the Brooklyn Nets.

He would then take his act to other NBA teams such as the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Jazz.