The New York Knicks have a key player that will largely factor into how much they’ll be able to upgrade their roster this offseason.
The Knicks have a big decision to make regarding Bojan Bogdanovic’s future
Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, the Knicks could go two routes with sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic’s 2024-25 team option. However, one path in the proverbial fork in the road could indicate that a blockbuster trade is imminent (h/t Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos):
“They have until June 28 either to release the 35-year-old forward, which would pay him only $2 million for 2024-25, or to guarantee his $19 million salary. If they decide on the latter, it may be a sign that a trade for a star is on the way,” Katz wrote.
“Part of the reason they acquired Bogdanovi, who just underwent his second surgery in a month, was because of his contract flexibility. They could use him as a midsized salary to flip in a star trade or they could move on from him if it did not work.”
Knicks could sign and trade Bogdanovic for a star to add to their deep roster
The Knicks have a crowded roster as is. They had 12 players that legitimately saw time in the rotation last season. Bogdanovic was a heralded trade acquisition at the Feb. 8 deadline but did not play quite up to the standard that was expected of him off the bench.
The Croatian marksman shot a career-worst 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from the three-point line on his way to 10.4 points per game in 29 appearances for the Knicks last year. While his small sample size did not tarnish his reputation as a versatile scorer and shooter altogether, New York could move off of him to free up cap space or trade for a long-awaited All-Star.
Knicks are in danger of falling into the luxury tax in 2024-25
The Knicks could also pass the NBA’s current $165.29 million luxury tax threshold next season by keeping Bogdanovic’s contract on the books, with OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein figuring to garner a bump in their annual salaries when they hit free agency this summer.
Picking up the 10-year veteran’s team option could be a strategic move for the front office to parlay in a trade for one of their desired All-Star trade targets. Bogdanovic would be an expiring deal that one of those hopeful franchises can take on and get off their books in the summer of 2025. He still has a lot left in the tank at his advanced age, so opting for the latter option that Katz laid out may be more beneficial for New York.