Following the trade of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for OG Anunoby, the New York Knicks lost backcourt depth and shot creation. The Knicks will almost certainly add another guard before the deadline, and several names are circulating.
Of the available candidates, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley suggested the Knicks trade for Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon will be traded to New York in exchange for Evan Fournier, a 2024 first-round selection (top-12 protected, via WAS), and a 2024 second-round pick (via UTA or CLE).
“The Knicks lost both backcourt depth and shot-creation in the Anunoby deal, but they’d strengthen both areas in this swap. Brogdon could fit with any of their guards, since he can handle either backcourt spot on both ends, and he’s an offensive asset on or off the ball. He could even wind up cracking the starting or closing lineups if Donte DiVincenzo cools off and Quentin Grimes can’t heat up.”
This deal would be a no-brainer for the Knicks if they could pull it off. Brogdon’s a savvy veteran who has played on winning teams in the past. His injury concerns are warranted, but for one first, a second, and Evan Fournier, New York won’t find much better on the market for this package.
The Knicks likely made the OG Anunoby trade for two reasons. Anunoby can guard the other team’s best player in the playoffs and that’s valuable, but this also left room to add a player similar to Brogdon. Quickley will be missed due to his bench scoring, and RJ could turn into a good professional, but they’re replaceable.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau is ecstatic about the deal for Anunoby. He had the following to say, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
“I think we have a good core that’s been together for a while now. So I think that can absorb people coming in and then a guy like OG is very serious,” Thibodeau said, “He wants to do well, and I think his mind is open. He plays incredibly hard on every possession, so even if it’s not perfect right now, it’s still gonna be good.”
Thibodeau loves players who play the right way and compete defensively. There might not be many other wing defenders better than OG, so it’s easy to see why he loves him.
Malcolm Brogdon should be the exact player that the Knicks target. There are going to be other options, possibly star-level talents like Zach LaVine on the market. However, the Knicks have been patient in landing a star and LaVine shouldn’t be the one who makes them change that.
Brogdon can come in and play his role perfectly. He’s used to being a 6th-man and won’t take touches away from Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.
As the deadline nears, the rumors for the Knicks will continue to get louder. They’re in a position to compete and have taken advantage of that with the Anunoby trade.
Jon Conahan covers the NBA for Heavy.com, focusing on the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks. Since 2019, his sports coverage has appeared at Sports Illustrated, oddschecker, ClutchPoints and Sportskeeda. More about Jon Conahan
