Every team in the NBA is looking to improve. If you’re one of the worst teams in the NBA, you’re looking to improve on a long-term basis. If you’re one of the best teams in the NBA, you want to improve right now.
What about teams in the middle? They have to make a judgment call. Take the New York Knicks. It would be a surprise if this team won an NBA title this year. Still, the Knicks are readying themselves for a playoff push. That’s why they acquired O.G. Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors.
By contrast, the Detroit Pistons need to be thinking about the future. They have the worst record in the NBA. They’d have to overhaul their entire roster to make a playoff run in 2023-24.
Should they send Alec Burks to the Knicks instead?
NBA Trade Proposal: New York Knicks Land Detroit Pistons’ Alec Burks
Detroit Pistons Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2025 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Alec Burks, G Monte Morris
It wasn’t always like this for the Pistons. This organization has a proud history. The Pistons won championships in the late 1980s, and they won one again in the early 00s. What happened to this organization?
For a long time, the Pistons toiled away in mediocrity. They tried to build around Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, Acquiring Blake Griffin improved their stock, but it didn’t do enough for them. Soon enough, it would be evident that the Pistons had to rebuild.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alec Burks, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Updates
Since then, they’ve been accumulating lottery picks. The Pistons have an impressive collection of young talent, but it doesn’t seem to fit. Does this deal help them?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
This deal doesn’t help Detroit on a short-term basis. Recent rumors have suggested that the Pistons would prefer a deal that did. They’ve been heavily linked to Zach LaVine and other win-now targets.
They could regret that sort of move. Let’s be honest – this team is more than a LaVine away from playoff contention. This season is lost. The Pistons should be sellers as the 2023-24 trade deadline approaches.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alec Burks, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Updates
Neither Burks nor Morris will fetch them a first-round pick in this market. Combined, they may land them a lottery protected first. That’s what they’re receiving here. Should the Knicks give up this much for the pair?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
The Knicks did well to acquire Anunoby. Still, they’re missing Immanuel Quickley. His scoring punch and playmaking off of the bench gave this Knicks team a dynamic that they’re now lacking.
This deal would help. Neither Morris nor Burks is as dynamic of a scorer as Quickley. Still, they each provide some playmaking. Morris can run the offense for the second unit, and Burks is a versatile player who will work in several lineups.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alec Burks, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, the Knicks have picks to spare. They can afford a lottery protected first if it improves their team. Isn’t that the goal?
