The New York Knicks continue to be bandied about as a potential buyer ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Front office head Leon Rose left open this possibility after he dealt away proven assets rather than draft picks in the blockbuster OG Anunoby trade in late December.
With roughly 48 hours to go before the deadline, we’re hearing more on the Knicks’ front. It sure looks like they are primed to make a move.
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New York Knicks interested in Detroit Pistons’ Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic
Ian Begley of SNY reports that the Knicks are interested in Pistons veteran Alex Burks as a solid addition to their bench. In the same report, Begley notes that New York was in on Bojan Bogdanovic at last year’s NBA trade deadline. It could kick the tires on these possibilities should the Knicks believe acquiring the two veterans would be a needle-mover.
“The Knicks have the draft capital to change Detroit’s mind, but New York also wants to maintain enough trade assets to acquire a top player this summer. So you have to factor that in to whatever they do at the deadline,” report on New York Knicks trade deadline plans.
New York has always gone big-game hunting. Despite the fact that it has a ton of future draft capital, it remains to be seen if Rose and Co. want to utilize a lot of it on perceived role players.
Burks, 32, is averaging 12.3 points on 39% shooting from three-point range this season. He played with the Knicks from 2020-22, averaging 12.1 points on 41% shooting from three during that span.
Bogdanovic would be the bigger get. He’d also cost more. The 34-year-old wing is averaging 20.2 points on 42% shooting from distance on the season. He’d act as insurance in case Julius Randle’s foot injury causes a long-term absence. He could also be part of a small-ball lineup with Randle and Anunoby in the frontcourt.
Quentin Grimes has been bandied about as a young player the Knicks could move. But they don’t appear to be willing to trade him at this point. In addition to Evan Fournier’s contract and draft capital, Grimes would have to be traded if the Knicks want to make a splash.