Some Knicks fans unhappy with the trade with the Pistons
The biggest news at the NBA trade deadline was the New York Knicks acquiring Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit took back just Quentin Grimes and two second-round picks (along with expiring contracts), a lesser return than what they might have gotten had they traded their two sharpshooting veterans last season.
Most national pundits lauded the Knicks, who added two 40 percent 3-point shooters to a team that needed an injection of offense off the bench.
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The two will certainly provide that, but as Pistons fans are well aware, they also take away a lot on the defensive end, a fact that some Knicks fans are now figuring out.
Some Knicks fans unhappy with the trade with the Pistons
There is always going to be a subset of any fanbase that hates a trade, especially if it involves a young fan favorite, as we get attached to the players in which the team has drafted and invested.
Knicks fans are never ones to hide their disdain, and there is a group already complaining about the shortcomings Bogdanovic and Burks have shown all season.
In 2 games I don’t think I’ve seen Alec Burks or Bojan Bogdanovic get a defensive stop or pass the ball once.
— Dreadlef Schrempf (@TheLesterLee) February 13, 2024
The Knicks traded Quentin Grimes for two shiny pieces of corn in the Pistons pile of dog shit
As the Knicks get healthy, these two will slide into more comfortable and suitable roles off the bench, so their defense should be less of a liability, but it has to be a concern for a team headed to the playoffs, as teams target poor defenders as the game gets more focused and slowed down.
You have to wonder if the Knicks will be able to play Bogdanovic for long stretches in the playoffs or if his defense will keep him out of a shortened rotation. The Knicks are currently 3rd in the NBA in opponent's points per game, so should have enough team defense to cover them, especially if Bogdanovic and Burks are hitting shots to offset it, but it's something to keep an eye on.
Bogdanović plays no defense.
— djmmets (@djmmets1117) February 11, 2024
Knicks in hurry to dump recent picks Grimes. They miss his shots and defense. What differentiates them from every other high scoring team. They missing players sure but Bogdanovic can’t defend. Burks weve seen
— Jrcyankees (@Jrcyankees1) February 11, 2024
Bro the Knicks gotta chill - they are finally finding their rhythm… why disrupt what Thibs and his staff have got going on by adding Bogdanovic who can’t even play defense
— Derrick White Muse 🍀 (@DWhiteMuse_) February 8, 2024
Is Bogdanovic always…this…bad at defense
— B.W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) February 11, 2024
As you can see, not all Knicks fans are/were on board with the move, though fans tend to overreact to small sample sizes and they've yet to see these players in their true roles.
I believe this trade will be good for both the Pistons and the Knicks, as New York has more scoring punch and two guys who can win you a playoff game with hot shooting, but fans are rightfully concerned about the defensive trade-off.
The Pistons got one of the 3-and-D wings they've needed in Grimes, a player on a team-friendly contract for next season who will bring excellent point-of-attack defense and toughness to a team that needed it.
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