Well another trade deadline has come and gone, and with the All-star weekend festivities approaching, let’s talk about the Knicks trades.
OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn for RJ Barrett, Immaunel Quickley, and a second-round pick
Then at the February 8th trade deadline, the Knicks swung-a-deal with the Detroit Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks in exchange for Evan Fournier, Ryan Arcidiacono, Quentin Grimes, Malachi Flynn, two second-round picks and Cash considerations.
My Thoughts
While it may look like the Knicks ultimately gave up too many assets, they really didn’t. When the Knicks get fully healthy, their starting 5 can look like Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Donte DiVincenzo. On the bench you have Isaiah Hartenstein (which lets give credit for the work he has put in with the absence of Mitchell Robinson), Precious Achiuwa, Deuce McBride, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Jericho Sims, and Josh hart. As Kendrick Perkins said, “The Knicks are deeper than the Pacific Ocean.” And he is not wrong. When the Knicks traded for OG, a massive complement was getting rid of Quickley who would easily put up 20-25 off the bench. And while the Knicks had their 9-game winning streak, a big issue was the starting 5 would get tired and the bench depth was not there. Now the Knicks add Bojan who is averaging 20.9 PPG off the bench, and Burks who’s averaging 12 a game.
The Bojan/Burks trade
When the trade went down, my initial reaction was “did we get Bojan” because I didn’t like that Grimes was in the deal just for burks. Luckily, they were able to get Bojan and burks for 3 mid-tier role players, a young asset in Grimes and two seconds. When I heard they also got Bojan, I was ecstatic. And also because earlier, the pistons had DECLINED two firsts for Bojan. Bojan gives the Knicks a 20 points per game scorer, another option, can start whenever and is under contract next year aswell. Meanwhile with Burks, we know the story with him. It’s a reunion! Back in 2020/21-22 when Burks was with the Knicks, he was famously called “Big shot burks” and “4th quarter burks” because he comes in late and hits the big shots when you need him. He can start, Thibs loves starting him during the playoff run but, for now he’ll just be a bench player and man do I love this. Not only did the Knicks get out of the Fournier contract, they didn’t give up ONE first round pick for OG/Bojan/Burks.
How do these trades affect the Knicks in the long run?.
OG and Burks will be free agents after this season, two players I expect and need the Knicks to extend. Bojan is under contract for next year however which is great. Now, for this year, I can 100% see the Knicks make a playoff run to the finals when they get fully healthy. There is no flaw, from top to bottom, every player and coach accommodates each-other perfectly.
BS Reports 
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