One of the biggest trades completed ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline in February was between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. At opposite ends of the standings, it made sense that the two teams would come together to complete a deal.
The Knicks were battling through several injuries to key players and needed some reinforcements on their bench. The Pistons, struggling through yet another disastrous season, had two expendable veterans with playoff experience. So, the teams completed a deal.
Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic were sent to New York in exchange for Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and two second-round picks. It was a deal many NBA analysts liked for the Knicks as Burks and Bogdanovic were regarded as starting-caliber players and they didn’t have to surrender much in the way of assets to get it done.
Unfortunately, the deal hasn’t provided either team with the kind of positive results they were looking for. Grimes, the centerpiece of the return for Detroit, has been battling injuries. In addition, three of the veterans involved have been the least efficient offensive players in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, Evan Fournier, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Updates
As shared by Tommy Beer on X, there are three players with a minimum of 50 field goal attempts who are shooting below 34 percent overall and 30 percent from 3-point range since the end of February. Those three players are Burks, Bogdanovic and Fournier.
Beer took things one step further with Burks, who has been arguably the worst shooter in the NBA for a few weeks now. He is the only qualified player with shooting percentages south of 33 overall, 30 on 3-pointers and 70 at the foul line.
Given how much Burks and Bogdanovic have struggled, it would not be a surprise if they are out of the rotation once the Knicks get healthy. Miles McBride has proven to be an excellent two-way option in the backcourt, cementing his status as the backup to Jalen Brunson when he isn’t starting.
Bogdanovic has already seen his role decrease. Even with OG Anunoby and Julius Randle sidelined, he played only seven minutes against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon. That is the first time since his rookie season Bogdanovic failed to play double-digit minutes in a game he appeared in.
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