BREAKING: Knicks Confirms major decision On veteran sniper
New York City was buzzing with excitement when the New York Knicks acquired Bojan Bogdanovic at the NBA trade deadline on February 8. However, his short 29-game stint in New York might be coming to an end, with growing concerns about his fit with the team potentially turning fans’ cheers into jeers outside Madison Square Garden.
SNY’s David Vertsberger has argued that the Knicks should consider moving on from the Croatian sharpshooter before the next season begins. Vertsberger points out:
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how well Bogdanovic will fit with this team. It should look slightly better than last year’s regular season with a full camp and defined role. However, he began losing postseason minutes as the 76ers targeted him defensively non-stop, which wouldn’t change.”
Vertsberger notes that if the Knicks retain their full rotation, Bogdanovic would likely play 13-20 minutes per game as a bench wing, contingent on his performance. While he can be expected to shoot and score effectively, providing much-needed depth, his recent 35th birthday and recovery from two surgeries cast doubt on his future contributions.
The excitement that initially surrounded his acquisition is now tempered by these practical considerations, leading to speculation about his role and future with the team.
Knicks: Bojan Bogdanovic could still be a serviceable shooter despite stepping back in 2023-24
The 35-year-old Bojan Bogdanovic averaged 10.4 points and two rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field after joining the Knicks midseason, a notable drop from the 20.2 points he averaged with the Detroit Pistons earlier in the year. This decline was expected due to his reduced role, but qualitatively, Bogdanovic did not seem to have the same impact.
On the positive side, he maintained his efficiency from beyond the arc, making 1.6 three-pointers per game at a 37 percent clip in 19.6 minutes per game. The Knicks thrived in the 2023-24 season with a focus on outside shooting, floor spacing, and speed, and Bogdanovic’s exceptional marksmanship could continue to bolster their offense next year.
The Knicks face the potential loss of starting small forward OG Anunoby in free agency this summer. If Anunoby leaves, New York might regret letting go of Bogdanovic, who is owed $19.03 million in the final year of his contract in 2024-25. The issue with Bogdanovic wasn’t his fit with the team but rather a crowded rotation at guard and small forward, compounded by injuries that hindered his ability to integrate into Tom Thibodeau’s system.
Despite these challenges, Bogdanovic could be a valuable asset for the Knicks next season, providing scoring and depth off the bench. Re-signing him could help the team maintain their momentum and improve their performance in the upcoming season.