It’s no secret that the New York Knicks are actively trying to upgrade their roster with star talent. Amidst all of the names that have floated around the organization’s rumor mill over the last couple of months, a new player could actually be the solution to many of their problems.
Knicks: Would Bojan Bogdanovic Increase the Knicks’ Championship Hopes?
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report constructed a mock trade that would send Evan Fournier, Miles McBride, and a 2024 first-round pick to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic, saying in part:
“Bogdanovic could immediately improve their spacing and add a touch more size (6’7″, 226 lbs) to their non-Randle lineups,” Buckley said. “Detroit, which has so far posted its worst winning percentage in franchise history (.133), should be fully focused on the future. So, it makes sense to get back this first-rounder (which carries protections until 2027) and see whether it can find a spot for McBride, a feisty defender still looking to establish an offensive niche.”
Bogdanovic is a playoff-tested contributor who has a history of being one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. As a member of the Pistons, he added to his game by becoming a reliable scorer off the bounce. Bogdanovic possesses many of the offensive tools desired by franchises and would give the Knicks spacing and quick decision-making in the half-court.
His impact is felt beyond the numbers. Bogdanovic can slash into the lane and rise up from 15 feet, and he has the dexterity to get to the rim and bump off defenders for easy looks off the glass. He has not made his season debut yet, but the last time we saw him play, Bogdanovic shot 48.8 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from the three, and 88.4 percent from the foul line. That’s about as good as it gets from a 20-plus point-per-game scorer.
Knicks: Bogdanovic A Viable Return For an Evan Fournier Trade
Bogdanovic is owed $39 million over the next two seasons, which matches up with Fournier’s $37 million in the same time frame. Fournier has wanted an expanded role in the Knicks’ rotation since the tail end of last season, and that has not come to fruition.
The Pistons are a young team that could benefit from Fournier’s veteran savvy while also bringing on board McBride, who plays pesky defense in both the half and full court and helped the Knicks win several games last season when inserted into the rotation.
Should Bogdanovic become a name the Knicks take seriously, pulling off a trade of this magnitude would keep their core intact. The 34-year-old would bring an invaluable element to the Knicks, whether in the starting rotation or off the bench.