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NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 trades to help the Knicks clear the decks

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) before the New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game on January 03, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) before the New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game on January 03, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 31, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 31, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Nabbing a versatile offensive threat

Last week, reports linked Bogdan Bogdanovic in a potential Kyle Kuzma trade with the Lakers. Sources on the Kings’ side quickly refuted those reports, but Bogdanovic’s restricted free agency is coming up and he may be too expensive for them to keep long-term. There are probably better offers for Bogdanovic available but this one offers them both some immediate gain and some potential upside. Ntilikina is still just 21 and has taken a big leap forward this year. He’s hitting 3s and finishing at a more respectable rate and really figuring out how to use his considerable potential on defense. If he keeps developing he could be a great fit as a third guard, playing next to either Buddy Hield or De’Aaron Fox. Gibson adds a veteran presence to the frontcourt as they push for the playoffs.

For the Knicks, obviously, Bogdanovic would give them a polished young offensive threat who would fit well next to a more ball-dominant player like R.J. Barrett. On paper, he’s the kind of player who could work as a secondary or tertiary contributor on a variety of different sorts of teams as the Knicks move forward, figuring out who they are going to be and continue chasing big-name free-agent stars.

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