Knicks Land Bogdanovic and Burks at Deadline for Run at East
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on January 22, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. 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
Just hours before the trade deadline the New York Knicks traded Malachi Flynn, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Ryan Arcidiacono, and two second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. In return, they will get Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
This is a big move and can help the Knicks fight for the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference.
Bogdanovic has averaged 20.2 points per game and shot 41.5% from three so far this season. He will be great off the bench; he is a good shooter, and he can do more than shoot. He could also jump into the starting role for either Anunoby or Randle while they are out.
Burks was with the Knicks just a couple of years ago. Now he is back and has been good this season. He is averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting 40.1% from three this season. This is another guard that can take pressure off Brunson with his scoring.
The Knicks are dealing with injuries to their top players. Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby are all injured. Thursday the team announced Anunoby will be out for at least three weeks. He had surgery to remove a loose fragment in his right elbow.
The Knicks are poised for a run, and they did the right thing by making this move. The Knicks are fourth in the Eastern Conference but only 6.5 games back of the number-one spot. After the All-Star break when everyone is healthy, this team will have about 10 players that can be in rotation. They might be the deepest team in the East or even the whole league. At every position they can score and defend this team is complete. Expectations are high for a deep playoff run.
7 Super Early Super Bowl Contenders for Next Season
I know it’s probably early to talk about the Super Bowl for next season, but really, is it? I actually don’t think it’s ever too early to start speculating and wishing for your team to make it all the way next year. This year was so very close for my team, the Detroit Lions. But, no cigar. So, maybe next year will be our year. But, aside from the Lions, there are other teams that are on target to be major contenders next season. Some of them didn’t even make the playoffs this year. So, what are some early Super Bowl contenders for next season?
Before we get into those contenders, let’s look at why next season is already shaping up to be so exciting. For me, the main reason is because a whopping seven teams have new head coaches. That’s really going to change the makeup of those teams. The Atlanta Falcons have brought on Raheem Morris. The Carolina Panthers have Dave Canales. The Las Vegas Raiders have knabbed Antonio Pierce. The Los Angeles Chargers have Jim Harbaugh. The New England Patriots have promoted Jerod Mayo. The Seattle Seahawks have brought on Mike Macdonald. The Tennessee Titans have hired Brian Callahan. Finally, The Washington Commanders have hired Dan Quinn.
Of those new coaches, the most interesting to me is Harbaugh for the Chargers. For Harbaugh, this is his final shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy. He just won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines, and now, he wants a Super Bowl victory. He has a chance with the Chargers’ stellar quarterback Justin Herbert. But, it will take time, in my opinion. I mean, it could take time with any of these teams with new coaches. That said, the Houston Texans had a rookie coach this year in DeMeco Ryans, and they almost went all the way, so all things are possible.
Let’s get into seven early Super Bowl contenders for next season with my commentary.
