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Grade the Trade: Knicks add proven three-point shooter in B/R proposal

By Jordanna Clark

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks strengthened their three-point shot by signing Donte DiVincenzo in free agency. DiVincenzo shot a career-high 39.7% this past season with the Warriors, but he alone won’t be enough to fix New York’s shooting woes.

In 2021-22, Evan Fournier set a record for made three-point shots in a single season. However, the season after, the shooting guard was booted from Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. The Knicks shooting 29% in the playoffs wasn’t enough for Thibodeau to give Fournier playing time, either.

Now that Fournier is officially on an expiring contract, he’s expected to be traded this summer. He even said himself after New York was eliminated from the playoffs that he’d be “surprised” to return in 2023-24. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported that the Knicks are still engaged in Fournier trade talks and are willing to be part of a multi-team deal to get off the 30-year-old’s contract.

In an effort to create a New York-Evan Fournier trade, Bleacher Report proposed a deal that would not only rid the Knicks of Fournier but add another shooter to the roster in the process.

Bleacher Report proposes Knicks-Pistons trade involving Evan Fournier, Bojan Bogdanovic

Here’s the “realistic” trade from Bleacher Report:

Bojan Bogdanovic will make $20 million in 2023-24 and swapping Evan Fournier, who will make $18.8 million next season, works financially.

There’s no question as to who is the better shooter between Bogdanovic and Fournier, as the former averaged 21.6 points in 2022-23 while shooting 41.1% from three in 59 games. Fournier didn’t get anywhere close to the amount of playing time that Bogdanovic did last season, but he shot 30.7% from deep.

What is controversial about this trade is the inclusion of New York’s 2024 first-round pick. The Knicks chose not to attach a first-round pick to Fournier to move on from him ahead of the February deadline, but in this case, they’d be getting a better shooter in return. This wouldn’t be a bad deal for New York to make, especially because Bogdanovic could play minutes at the four now that Obi Toppin is gone.

Bogdanovic isn’t a good defender, but he’s better on that end of the floor than Fournier. Unlike Fournier, Bogdanovic’s defense doesn’t make him unserviceable.

The 32-year-old has a partially guaranteed salary of $19 million in 2023-24, and if the Knicks were to guarantee it, he wouldn’t be a free agent until 2025. This would give New York added shooting, but it’d come down to whether or not the front office would be willing to give up a first-round pick or not.

Grade: B

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