The New York Knicks were unable to complete a trade with the Utah Jazz centered around Donovan Mitchell, which surprised a lot of people. While it was disappointing to not acquire the three-time NBA All-Star, the front office has to get back to work and continue to reshape the roster.
New York should be looking to consolidate the roster as there are only so many minutes for head coach Tom Thibodeau to hand out. At the same time, if the opportunity to upgrade the roster presents itself, they will certainly explore it.
Could the Knicks go back to the negotiating table with the Jazz? According to sources, they are one of the teams, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, that have shown interest in acquiring Bojan Bogdanovic from Utah.
Bogdanovic would be a good addition for any of the aforementioned four teams as an upgrade on the wing. One NBA scout that spoke to NBA Analysis Network shared his thoughts on how the high-scoring forward would fit in The Big Apple.
“If they want a proven player on the wing, he checks many boxes. He’s a tough shot maker that you can use in ball screens and off-ball actions. If they want to play a big lineup with Barrett at the two, Bogdanovic would help with that. … He can also be a good alternative to Randle at the four if they want to throw out more of a spread look that will move the ball.”
Bogdanovic would bring a lot of similarities to the table that Evan Fournier currently does, but as the scout pointed out, he would bring a lot more size to the table. We know that Thibodeau plays a switch-heavy defensive scheme and likes bigger players in his rotation.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz & New York Knicks Updates
An alternative at the power forward spot likely isn’t something that New York needs. It is already hard enough finding minutes for Obi Toppin, and there have been discussions about free agent Isaiah Hartenstein receiving some minutes at the four-spot as well. Cam Reddish could also factor into the rotation there.
However, the 3-point shooting Bogdanovic would provide would certainly play well from the power forward spot. New York could certainly use more consistent 3-point shooters, and he would fit that bill as a 39.2 percent shooter in his career.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz & New York Knicks Updates
Scoring the ball has sometimes been a struggle for the Knicks under Thibodeau and Bogdanovic would certainly help remedy that. Combining the contract of Derrick Rose or Fournier with one of the young players, such as Reddish, would get the deal done monetarily. Including some draft compensation would likely seal the deal.
