NBA rumors: Knicks and Pistons could trade guards

Trade #2: The Detroit Pistons land Quentin Grimes

The Pistons could also pursue one of the Knicks' young players and they have a pretty good one in Quentin Grimes.

Grimes is a relentless and talented defender who is shooting 38 percent from long range this season on 4.7 attempts per game. He's only shooting 39 percent overall, as he doesn't take many shots that aren't 3-pointers, averaging just six field goal attempts per game.

His minutes and numbers are down this season, but Grimes is a guy who has played big minutes for a good Knicks team, mostly because of his defense.

He's a 3-and-D guard who is only 23 years old, so the Pistons may covet him more than a late first-round pick in exchange for Burks. Fournier has to be included to make the money work (it still doesn't but it's not hard to find 867k), so the Pistons would have to open up a roster spot, waive Fournier or come to an agreement on a buyout.

Of these two trades, I'd rather have Grimes, who is a very good defender and has potential as a shooter even though he's never likely to be a high-volume guy. But when you think about it, Burks only shoots one more 3-point shot per game than Grimes, so the Pistons would be getting a huge defensive upgrade without losing too much.

Either of these deals likely represents the best the Pistons can get for Burks, but would the Knicks really give up real assets for a one-dimensional shooting guard on an expiring deal? I have my doubts, but it does seem inevitable that the Pistons and Knicks will make a trade at some point.

It could be for Bojan, it could be for Burks or it could be for both if the Knicks wanted to pool a first-round pick and Grimes. Stay tuned.