In the realm of professional sports, not every trade yields positive results. Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, and the New York Knicks are currently grappling with this reality.
Both Burks and Bogdanovic were acquired from the Detroit Pistons on February 9, as part of a trade involving Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono, and two-second round picks.
However, despite being entrusted with significant playing time and shot opportunities since joining the Knicks, their performance has been lackluster in terms of scoring efficiency.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post highlighted these struggles in an April 7 column, suggesting that their places in the rotation for the playoffs could be in jeopardy.
Bondy speculates that coach Tom Thibodeau may narrow down the rotation to eight players for the postseason, leaving those on the bench with uncertain futures.
Burks, in particular, has faced significant challenges, with poor shooting percentages and reduced playing time following a shoulder injury. Bondy even notes that Burks ranks as the least efficient NBA player among those with at least 100 shot attempts since the trade.
Meanwhile, Bogdanovic, while showing more consistency, still hasn’t fully lived up to expectations. However, recent improvements in his scoring have garnered attention and could potentially earn him a spot in the postseason rotation.
Ultimately, the decision on who makes the cut will likely prioritize team defense, a hallmark of Thibodeau’s coaching career, which may not bode well for Burks and Bogdanovic if their shooting struggles persist.
