A new report claims that when the New York Knicks were able to finalize their blockbuster trade for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, they also stopped the Detroit Pistons from possibly moving both to a team New York likely could face in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
For the second time over the last three months, the Knicks were able to pull off one of the biggest trades of the 2023-24 NBA season, and for players many other teams coveted. With the revelation that gifted 3-and-D stud OG Anunoby had an injury that was more serious than originally thought, the organization was forced to pull off a major trade just hours before the NBA trade deadline.
By landing Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, the organization was able to get an interesting short-term replacement for Anunoby and add a great deal of worthwhile depth for the stretch run and playoffs. However, a new report also revealed that by completing the deal they also were able to steal both away from a division rival they could face in the postseason.
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New York Knicks beat out the Philadelphia 76ers for Bogdanovic and Burks
On Thursday night, SNY New York Knicks reporter Ian Begley revealed that the Philadelphia 76ers had serious interest in both players ahead of the 3 PM ET trade deadline but failed to meet Detroit’s asking price.
“Detroit was listening to offers from several teams on Bogdanovic leading up to the deadline. The Sixers were aggressive in their pursuit,” Begley wrote. “But Detroit wanted Tobias Harris. It’s unclear how far talks progressed. The Sixers also had an interest in Burks.”
The SNY reporter revealed that when Philly shifted gears — likely due to the asking price and not having better secondary packages — to trade with the Indiana Pacers for Buddy Hield, it helped make the Knicks the top contender.
Both players could play massive roles for the Knicks as they hold the line until Anunoby and Julius Randle get back from injuries. But it was also major to block a good bench player and 20-points-per-game scorer from going to a rival who could have hurt them in a potential postseason matchup.