One thing that people like to do following an event such as the NBA trade deadline is discuss the winners and losers. While there weren’t any superstars on the move this year, several trades got done and a few teams stood out as one that improved the most.
In the opinion of NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, it was the New York Knicks who were the big winners. They made one deal, acquiring Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and two future second-round picks.
Acquiring two bonafide rotation players, that are starting caliber, is not an easy task ahead of the deadline. Doing so without having to surrender top-flight long-term assets or multiple rotation players is a coup.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Updates
Grimes is the only player involved from New York’s side who sees consistent minutes in the rotation when the team is healthy. A 2021 first-round pick, he was the last of the team’s recent youth movement on the roster, which has been overhauled in recent months.
The quality of the players the Knicks got from the Pistons at that price point is a big reason why Charania believes they were the biggest winners in the NBA. When you account for the bigger trade they made earlier in the season with the Toronto Raptors, it cements their case as winners.
OG Anunoby, Precious Acuiuwa and Flynn were acquired in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and a second-round pick. Essentially the Knicks acquired four rotation players in exchange for three and three second-round picks. Retaining all of their future first-rounders keeps them in a prime position to swing a blockbuster over the summer.
Another positive to the deadline deal with the Pistons is New York opened up two roster spots. They will be big-time players on the buyout market as they can offer veterans not only a chance to contend but playing time for the next few weeks.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Updates
Anunoby and Julius Randle are both dealing with multi-week injuries. Mitchell Robinson has been sidelined since early December after undergoing ankle surgery. Isaiah Hartenstein, Robinson’s replacement in the starting five, is currently dealing with Achilles soreness.
There is an immediate need for healthy players who can soak up minutes in the dog days of February and early March of the NBA season. The Knicks’ main focus needs to be getting and keeping their rotation players healthy for what they are hoping is a deep postseason run.
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