Immanuel Quickley’s absence from the New York Knicks’ second unit could be effectively filled by Malcolm Brogdon, the Sixth Man of the Year winner from the previous season, who outpaced Quickley. ESPN’s front office insider, Bobby Marks, has suggested a trade scenario to bring Brogdon to the Knicks, addressing the decline in bench scoring following Quickley and RJ Barrett’s departure in the OG Anunoby deal.
Marks proposes a trade where the New York Knicks acquire Malcolm Brogdon and the Portland Trail Blazers receive Evan Fournier and the Knicks’ top-14 protected 2024 first-round pick. This proposal draws parallels to a previous trade between the two teams involving Josh Hart at the trade deadline last year.
The Knicks’ current performance suggests that their first-round draft pick in the upcoming June’s draft will likely be in the 20s. The Portland Trail Blazers, holding Brogdon under a $22.5 million contract for the next season, may not be in a hurry to trade him. They could choose to explore options in the offseason or wait until the next trade deadline, but delaying too long comes with the risk of a potential decline in Brogdon’s value due to injuries, given his history.
Brogdon, at 32 years old, has a history of injuries that have limited his appearances to fewer than 67 games in a single season over the last five years. Despite this, he has played 35 out of Portland’s first 44 games this season, averaging 15.7 points and 5.3 assists with minimal turnovers. Brogdon’s playing style makes him a valuable asset to stabilize the Knicks’ offense, particularly when Jalen Brunson is on rest.
However, despite Brogdon being an apparent fit for Quickley’s role, there is no aggressive pursuit from the Knicks. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, there have been no significant discussions between New York and Portland regarding Brogdon as of late last week. While rival executives suggest a fair asking price for Brogdon is a first-round pick and salary filler, the Knicks are still evaluating their options.
Scott Perry, the former Knicks general manager, has expressed a preference for Alec Burks over Bruce Brown as the ideal trade target. Perry emphasizes Burks’ familiarity with Tom Thibodeau’s system and his ability to seamlessly fit into the team, citing his experience in the locker room and offensive capabilities without sacrificing defensive integrity. The Knicks are carefully considering their choices as they weigh various trade scenarios in their quest to enhance their roster.
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