Pistons to acquire Utah's Bojan Bogdanovic in trade for Kelly Olynyk, Saben Lee

The Pistons are adding another veteran to their core of young pieces, ahead of the start of training camp next week.

Detroit is trading big man Kelly Olynyk and guard Saben Lee to the Utah Jazz in exchange for forward Bojan Bogdanovic, a league source confirmed to The Detroit News on Thursday.

Shams Charania and James Edwards III of The Athletic were first to report the deal.

Bogdanovic, 33, is a 6-foot-7 versatile player who is entering his eighth year. He was the Jazz’s second-leading scorer at 18 points per game last season behind Donovan Mitchell, who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, in Utah's roster restructuring. A more-than-capable shooter, Bogdanovic also made 38% of his 3-pointers last season and can play either forward spot.

The move has some financial benefit for the Pistons. Bogdanovic is scheduled to make $19.6 million this season. Olynyk, 31, had two more years on his deal, worth $12.8 million this season and $12.2 million in 2023-24. Lee's contract had $1.8 million left for this season and a team option for $1.9 million next year.

The Pistons also used $5.6 million in cap space to facilitate this deal, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, bringing the total outgoing salary amount to $20.27 million to match Bogdanovic's expiring $19.6 contract.

By trading two players to the Jazz, the Pistons open an additional roster spot and acquire the flexibility to sign or acquire another player in the future.

With Bogdanovic's addition, the Pistons have 16 guaranteed contracts on their roster.

With the opening of training camp next week, the Pistons balanced their roster, with a versatile forward in Bogdanovic, whose perimeter shooting replaces what was lost in sending Olynyk to the Jazz. The 6-11 Olynyk averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 40 games for the Pistons last season.

Lee, 23, originally was a second-round selection by the Jazz in 2020 but the Pistons acquired the pick, along with Tony Bradley, in a trade. In his two seasons, Lee averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 85 games.

Bogdanovic's consistency as a scoring threat will now be added to a core group that includes Cade Cunningham, who was recently ranked by ESPN as the No. 35 player in the league, along with Saddiq Bey, rookie Jaden Ivey, Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons likely will bring Bogdanovic off the bench to serve as a primary scoring option.

Pistons provide weight-room makeover to Detroit Western International

For the second consecutive year, the Pistons have collaborated with United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Planet Fitness to provide a weight room makeover to a Detroit high school.

Detroit Western International High School students will receive a newly-renovated weight room, which will be unveiled at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The ceremony will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with appearances by Pistons legend Earl Cureton, Pistons strength and conditioning coaches, and Erika Swilley, Pistons vice president of community and social responsibility.

The weight room will feature co-branded Pistons wall graphics and a Milk Means More Fueling Station, which provides milk and snacks for student-athletes throughout the school year, according to a statement released by the team.

Planet Fitness, which has a location in the same building as the Pistons' midtown practice facility, will provide exercise machines, workout equipment and flooring for Western International's new weight room. Aura Air has donated new air purifiers.

Denby High School was the recipient of last year's weight-room makeover.

The event will also be attended by Western International principal Angel Garcia, United Dairy chief operating officer Melissa Gerharter and Planet Fitness vice president of marketing Mary Scott.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @MikeACurtis2