The Knicks faced mounting injuries and expiring contracts. Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier and fundraising Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks at this year’s trade deadline.
At the time, Bogdanovic was a regular contender averaging 20 points per game and shooting 40 percent from three-point range, so it’s fair to consider him the best player in the trade.
New York was able to add some new players and replace some big contracts that could be traded, but Bogdanovic’s play hasn’t lived up to expectations, averaging 20.2 points on 51.8 percent two-point shooting and 41.5 percent three-point shooting with Detroit, but 10.4 points on 48.8 percent and 37 percent three-point shooting with Detroit.
Part of it has to do with his role changing dramatically, as he went from playing long minutes and a high volume of shot put to being an offensive engine off the bench. Tom ThibodeauRotation.
Bogdanovic had gone six straight games without double-figure scoring, a departure from the player New York was hoping to acquire in the trade. He had flourished as a reliable shooter and scorer amid a slew of injuries and was ultimately meant to be a playoff weapon if all went well.
The result? Bogdanovic found some comfort late in the season.
Over his past 12 games, Bogdanovic is averaging 10.9 points on 55 percent shooting from the 2-point line and 41.3 percent from the 3-point line, as he has re-honed his jump shot and is using his body more inside against weaker guards.
That play carried over into the postseason, where, although he didn’t score as efficiently, he showed late-season confidence and seemed like the Knicks could rely on him in tight offensive situations: In Game 1 against Philadelphia, he made two big baskets, one in the final minute of the third quarter and one early in the fourth, and in the following game he made two huge 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately, the Knicks won’t see much of him after he injured his ankle and then his wrist in Game 4. New York has the option to waive the $19 million he’s owed for the 2024-25 season, but only $2 million of that would be guaranteed if they waive him, potentially giving them flexibility in free agency.
So, should New York keep Bogdanovic or let him go?
It’s hard to predict exactly how well Bogdanovic will fit with this team. With a full camp and a defined role, he should perform slightly better than he did in the regular season last year, but his minutes began to dwindle in the postseason as the 76ers constantly targeted him defensively, and that will continue to be the case.
Assuming the full rotation returns, he’ll likely see 13-20 minutes as a bench wing depending on how he plays, and while he can be counted on for shooting and scoring, he’d at least be a needed addition, but he just turned 35 and is fresh off two surgeries.
They could also choose not to waive him and trade him this summer or next season. He has a big expiring contract and a clear skill set that would interest any team. The Knicks are reportedly looking for a star player and would need the ammunition to make that happen.
The flip side is that cutting him would free up space to acquire a better-suited free agent. The Knicks likely don’t have the cap space and would need to pay the luxury tax to keep their core players.
That said, under the new CBA rules, the mid-level exceptions scale depending on how far over the threshold you are: In one scenario, firing Bogdanovic would project a non-taxpayer MLE of about $13 million per year, which is high compared to the first apron amount of about $5 million, and no exception at all in the second apron.
New York could spend $13 million on: Tyus Jones, Kyle Anderson, Lois O’Neale or Gary HarrisThese are only minor upgrades, if any at all, but their defensive abilities are a better fit for the Knicks roster and culture.
Unfortunately, Bogdanovic’s guarantee deadline is June 28, so the Knicks will need to make a decision with a clear picture this upcoming offseason unless they trade him around the NBA Draft (which begins June 26). Either way, this should be one of their easier choices, with multiple positive outcomes expected.
