Trade Deadline: Is Bojan Bogdanović Knicks' Answer Until Julius Randle Returns?
Time is running out if the New York Knicks are going to make any major moves to improve their roster for a potentially packed playoff run, as the NBA trade deadline lands at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
One of the biggest names that has lingered on the trade block is Detroit Pistons veteran Bojan Bogdanović. With Detroit continuing to sit at the bottom of the NBA standings, the 34-year-old is one of their top tradeable assets and could be exactly what the Knicks are looking for in the wake of Julius Randle's injury.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz called the Knicks a "top landing spot" for Bogdanović, who stands as one of the few things going right for the dreary Pistons after missing the first portions of the season with calf soreness.
"While Bojan Bogdanović looked like a solid fit with the Knicks all season, the temporary loss of Julius Randle with a separated shoulder makes this an even better landing spot for the veteran forward," Swartz writes. "The Knicks rank just 15th in three-point accuracy (36.9 percent) and 14th in made threes per game (13.1), areas (where) Bogdanović would help push them up the board."
In 28 appearances this season, Bogdanović is averaging 20.2 just under points per game on 47 percent shooting from the field. He's also hitting a career-best 3.1 three-pointers per game at a success rate of 41.5 percent.
If dealt to New York, Bogdanović could take some of the scoring pressure off of Jalen Brunson with Randle being out for at least the next several weeks. Once Randle comes back, Bogdanović could serve as a solid depth piece off the bench and perhaps make up for the scoring sent away when Immanuel Quickley was traded to the Toronto Raptors in the OG Anunoby deal.
The Knicks (33-18) immediately return to action after the trade deadline as they host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
