It’s Possible That The Knicks Won The NBA
Trade Deadline
The New York Knicks made a huge move that shocked the league just before the trade deadline, which ended at 3 p.m. ET. Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks gave them the pieces they needed to come back. The Knicks might have prevailed in the trade deadline debate. The Knicks are performing like the single smartest team in the NBA, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN after the game.
The Dallas Mavericks made a move for P.J. Washington, which was a nice deal for Dallas, adding size, athleticism, and shooting to a Mavs team needing help for Luka Doncic. It wasn’t cheap, costing them a first-round pick along with Seth Curry. Buddy Hield being traded to the 76ers adds three-point shooting to Philadelphia. This is a big statement, but looking at the moves the front office has made in 2024, it’s accurate. Admittedly, it was a quiet deadline.
But the Knicks building a stacked roster was the best deal. The Knicks could have won the trade deadline and, more significantly, established themselves as a serious contender.
It Looks Like the Knicks Won the NBA Trade Deadline
Examining the Knicks transaction
Here’s the whole story:
Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks are acquired by the Knicks.
Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacono, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, and two future second-round picks are acquired by the Pistons.
President Leon Rose executed a brilliant move by including Bogdanovic in the agreement. Rose reportedly mentioned his name in jest during Burks’ negotiations. They were always in on Burks, but it was unlikely that Detroit would be interested in moving one of their best scorers, according to insider Ian Begley. Still, Rose acted decisively and included him without trading even one first-round pick, which is incredible business.
Additionally, this will benefit the Knicks in the upcoming season. Along with all of their firsts, Bogdanovic’s contract is partially guaranteed at $19 million, which could be moved for a future superstar.
Burks spent his two years in New York between 2020 and 2022 with success, and he is acquainted with Tom Thibodeau. Off the bench at the guard position, he provides the reliable ball handling and three-point shooting they were looking for.
The main player in the deal is Bogdanovic. He gives their talented frontcourt more depth as a walking bucket and a lights-out three-point shooter.
They also didn’t give up much. For the past ninety-six days, Fournier has not been in the rotation. Flynn from the previous Raptors trade was flipped. Grimes was open to moving, but his role this year was limited. He’ll have a big role in Detroit and an opportunity to make an impression. He is a skilled on-ball defender and a reliable three-point shooter. By including Bogdanovic in the deal, the Knicks might have won the trade deadline.
How Does Bojan and Burks Enhance the Roster?
Again, Rose deserves praise for not resting on his laurels following the original Anunoby trade, which enabled them to go 16-3 after dealing for him. He spreads the floor with his shooting and is among the league’s best defenders. He reportedly needs surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow, which will keep him out for three weeks.
After being selected for the All-Star team for the third time in four seasons, Julius Randle injured his shoulder. Although shoulders are tricky, it is hoped he will return a few weeks after the break.
Rather than waiting and hoping, the Knicks took initiative. By adding Bogdanovic, he helps with the scoring load until Randle returns and covers the Knicks while Anunoby recovers from an injury.
This season, Bogdanovic has averaged 20.2 points per game, with shockingly high percentages of 41.5% from beyond the arc and 46.8% from the field. This man is very large. In fact, he scored 48 points in 2021 against the Nuggets, which was a career high. Coming off the bench is him!
The Knicks can now counter the zone in addition to any double teams, which is another benefit of this deal. Jalen Brunson has been doubled by the Lakers thirty times. They obviously fear him, but they don’t care that his teammates are making shots. Now that Randle and Bogdanovic are involved, it is not feasible.
