Knicks could explore reunion with former starting shooting guard ahead of trade deadline

The New York Knicks (19-15) are expected to remain active in trade discussions ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline to fill out their rotation and could ultimately turn to a familiar face for help.

Last week's trade that netted New York forward OG Anunoby cost the team two of its young assets – including guard Immanuel Quickley – creating the need for another ball-handler. According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, New York is well-positioned to "explore a wide range of names" to address the issue, specifically citing former Knick Alec Burks and Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon as potential targets. 

"[The Knicks] have enough draft capital and wiggle room with Evan Fournier’s contract to explore a wide range of names," Fischer writes, "from former Tom Thibodeau favorite Alec Burks in Detroit to the sturdy Malcolm Brogdon in Portland."

Fischer also mentions Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, a player New York reportedly considered trading for in the 2022 offseason, as another potential trade target. However, Fischer questions Murray's fit with Jalen Brunson due to the lack of success the one-time All-Star has had in Atlanta with Trae Young, another undersized point guard.

While acquiring Murray would give New York the third All-Star caliber talent it has been seeking for several seasons, bringing in a reliable playmaker off the bench could have a greater impact on the current roster. After the departure of Quickley, third-year man Miles McBride is left as the team's backup point guard. New York inked McBride to a three-year, $13 million deal following last week's trade, though his career averages of 2.8 points and 1.0 assists raise doubts that he'll thrive as the second unit's leading ball-handler. 

Burks wouldn't be much of a game-changing addition, but Tom Thibodeau has proven to be loyal to his former players and the current Pistons swingman was a key contributor on the head coach's first two Knicks teams. The 32-year-old averaged 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 130 games for the Knicks from 2020-22, making 44 starts at point guard during the 2021-22 season. 

Nonetheless, it's impossible to overlook that Burks has been largely ineffective for the bottom-dwelling Pistons this season, averaging 10.6 points and 1.3 assists. 

Adding Brogdon, on the other hand, would be an ideal replacement for Quickley. Last season, Brogdon beat out Quickley for the Sixth Man of the Year Award after posting 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game with the Boston Celtics while shooting a career-high 44.4% from three-point range. Playing in an increased role with Portland this season, Brodgon has remained consistent, averaging 15.7 points and 5.6 assists in 26 games, including 16 starts. 

Even so, while Brogdon is clearly a better option to trade for than Burks, it is possible that he might not end up in New York due to Knicks president Leon Rose's history as an agent for CAA. Brogdon, 31, is represented by Klutch Sports Group and Rich Paul, who reportedly opposed trading client Zach LaVine to the Knicks in 2022, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

Last month, SNY's Ian Begley reported that the dynamic between Klutch Sports Group and the team hasn't changed and that "Paul remains reluctant to do business with the Knicks." It's worth noting that Murray is also represented by Klutch, another potential reason he might not be the best target for New York.

If either Brogdon or Murray had a desire to play for the Knicks, perhaps his representation would be more accommodating, but there's no telling whether that would actually be the case.