Pistons get their pick back in trade proposal with the Knicks

Pistons get their pick back in trade proposal with the Knicks

First off, I’m not sure the Knicks would do a deal like this, as teams have balked at the idea of giving up a first-round pick for the 34-year-old Bogdanovic. If they just wait it out, the protections get lower and lower on the pick Detroit owes them, so they could end up getting a lottery pick out of it if they just wait.

Of course, the Knicks already have multiple picks in 2024 and they aren’t going to add three rookies to their roster, so expect them to be involved in trades at some point.

I’m also not sure that Bogdanovic is enough to really move the needle for them, and they might want to wait until a genuine star (Joel Embiid?) becomes available but New York is not my concern.

Would this package be enough for Detroit? It really depends on their goals for next season. Do they really believe they can contend for the playoffs? Does Troy Weaver think that the games they can win with Bogdanovic are worth more in experience than a first-round pick?

Fournier is younger than Bogdanovic by four years, but looked washed last season when he fell out of the rotation, only played in 27 games and averaged six points per game. But he averaged over 14 just the season before and is a career 38 percent shooter from long range, so in theory he could replace some of what Bogdanovic gives you without needing as big a role.

This would allow the Pistons to put Ausar Thompson in the starting lineup right away and still give them a veteran bench player in Fournier, who only has a team option left on his deal after next season.

I have a hard time believing the Knicks would give up a first-round pick just to swap Fournier for Bogdanovic, but given their surplus of draft assets and need for shooting, it’s possible..

As for Detroit, they would probably do a deal like this, as it would give them more draft assets to make a future trade without taking on any long-term money. It would also allow them to put their core of the future on the court together immediately, and between Monte Morris, Joe Harris and Fournier, they could potentially absorb the loss of Bogdanovic without missing much.

But it would potentially make them worse in the short term, which may not be an option for Weaver, who needs to show some progress to keep his job safe.