Knicks Rumors: Team Linked To Former 6th Man of the Year

The New York Knicks are happy with their acquisition of OG Anunoby, to be sure. But sending Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors as part of that deal has left them with a huge void in the backcourt. Quickley, in fact, was the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up in the NBA in 2022-23. 

But now, according to one report, the Knicks might be looking to one-up that, and replace Quickley with the man who beat him out for that award (much to Knicks fans' chagrin), Malcolm Brogdon, now of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Knicks have shown interest in Malcolm Brogdon, per @krispursiainen pic.twitter.com/xVO0itkPyN

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2024

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports writes that “The Knicks still have enough draft capital and wiggle room with Evan Fournier’s contract to explore a wide range of options”, with Brogdon among the most prominent. 

Fournier is in the final season of his four-year deal, earning $19 million this year, with a team option for 2024-25, which will undoubtedly not be picked up. Brogdon earns $22.5 million this season and next before becoming a free agent In 2025. Those salaries are close enough that the numbers should be able to work. 

The Trail Blazers guard is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds this season, while shooting a robust 44.4% from beyond the arc.

Fischer also suggests that, if Portland sets too high a price for Brogdon, the Knicks could lower their sights to another veteran ball handler, the one-time Tom Thibodeau favorite Alec Burks, from the Detroit Pistons.

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports