The New York Knicks are making significant moves as they prepare for the crucial final stretch of the season, announcing a blockbuster trade on Thursday.
In a strategic acquisition, the Knicks have secured the talents of Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Detroit Pistons, parting with four players and two future second-round draft picks in the exchange.
Here's the breakdown of the trade:
Heading to New York are Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Detroit welcomes Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacono, along with two future second-round picks and cash considerations.
Impact on the Knicks: This trade brings the Knicks two prolific scorers from the perimeter. Bogdanovic, known for his sharpshooting, boasts a 41.5% accuracy from beyond the arc this season and is on track to hit 150 three-pointers for the sixth time in seven seasons. He's been contributing an impressive 20.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 32.9 minutes per game.
Burks, rejoining the Knicks after a stint from 2020 to 2022, has been a key bench player, averaging 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists this season.
Bogdanovic, who inked a two-year extension with Detroit last summer following a season where he led the team with 21.6 points per game, has a diverse playing background. Drafted 31st overall by Miami in 2011, he played in Turkey before joining the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2014-15 season, and has since played for Washington, Indiana, and Utah.
The Knicks, currently without their starting frontcourt due to injuries, have been on the lookout for ways to bolster their bench scoring. This need became more acute after trading Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for OG Anunoby in December. Since Anunoby's integration into the starting lineup on January 1, the Knicks have posted a 16-3 record. This latest trade could be the catalyst they need to secure a top position in the Eastern Conference, breaking away from a tight race with Cleveland and Milwaukee.
Impact on the Pistons: Quentin Grimes, despite currently being sidelined with an injury, emerges as a potentially significant acquisition for Detroit. His playing time in New York had diminished this season, yet he still averages 7.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 20.2 minutes per game. His performance in the 2022-23 season was notable, and being the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, he holds considerable promise.
Malachi Flynn, who joined the Knicks just last December from Toronto, has played a limited role, averaging 2.2 points in 4.3 minutes per game. Both Arcidiacono and Fournier have seen minimal action this season.
Detroit has been active in the trade market, with this move following closely on the heels of two other trades, signaling a busy season for the Pistons as they reshape their roster for the future.
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