Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the New York Knicks are acquiring Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks sending Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacono, and two future second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons in the trade deadline deal.
The New York Knicks Add Veteran Experience to Bench
The Knicks get a pair of great perimeter scorers for their playoff push as Bojan Bogdanovich is on pace to make 150 three-pointers for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Bogdanovic signed a two-year extension with the Pistons last summer after posting a team-high 21.6 points per game in 2022-23. Bojan Bogdanovic played around 32 minutes a night for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 20.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 41.5% on 3-pointers this season. Having played for the New York Knicks from 2020 to 2022, Alec Burks returns for his second stint in New York, averaging 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game this season for the Pistons.
New York has the Best Trade Deadline of Any Team.
This comes after the Knicks traded Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and the Detroit Pistons’ 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors, acquiring OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn from Toronto. Along with playing stellar defense, OG Anunoby has averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 14 games for the Knicks since being traded. Reports state Julius Randle will most likely miss multiple weeks, and Precious Achiuwa has stepped up, taking Randle’s role in the rotation and many minutes for a frontcourt already suffering from the Mitchell Robinson injury. Over the past five games since stepping in for the injured Randle, Achiuwa has averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Precious Achiuwa making clutch plays on both ends of the floor. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Pw2REU6jEH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 2, 2024
The Knicks had a great trade season, adding valuable perimeter shooting and defense. In all, the Knicks traded away RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacono, and three future second-round picks. The New York Knicks acquired OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, Alec Burks, and Bojan Bogdanovic, giving them a robust defensive starter in OG and three solid bench pieces, making this potentially the deepest roster in the entire NBA.
Dreary Detroit Pistons Are Sellers During Trade Deadline
Quentin Grimes career:
8.6 PTS
2.5 REB
43% FG
38% 3PThe 6-foot-5 wing is an excellent defender, plays with a ton of grit.
pic.twitter.com/MPNG7ZLFew— Jack Kelly (@jack_kelly_313) February 8, 2024
The most valuable asset the Pistons acquired was 23-year-old Quentin Grimes, the 25th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft. Though his role has decreased in the rotation for New York this season, playing around 20 minutes each night, Grimes is still averaging 7.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. In Grimes’ second year, he had a breakout run in the 2022-23 NBA season for the Knicks, averaging 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. The Pistons could find a use for 25-year-old Malachi Flynn, who was part of the trade that sent RJ Barrett to Toronto and brought OG Anunoby to New York. Since being traded in December, Malachi Flynn has only played 4 minutes each game with the Knicks for 14 games. Ryan Arcidiacono and Evan Fournier have played almost no minutes for the Knicks this season and were added to make salaries match. Evan Fournier is on an 18 million-dollar contract with a 19 million dollar team option for next year; however, the 31-year-old might be bought out by a Pistons team focused on developing their young core.
Detroit has been busy as sellers during the trade deadline. The Pistons started by dealing Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to the Washington Wizards for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala. Much like Evan Fournier, Gallinari, who was rumored to have interest from the Lakers, is on a seven million dollar expiring contract and, at the age of 35, maybe bought out by a Detroit team that is unlikely to re-sign him. The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Monte Morris from the Detroit Pistons for Shake Milton, Troy Brown, and a 2030 second-round pick. The Utah Jazz traded second-year player Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons for Kevin Knox, a 2024 second-round pick, and the rights to Gabriele Procida, the 36th overall pick in the 2022 Draft.
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