Pros and cons of a Raptors-Knicks Goran Dragic-Alec Burks trade

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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 2: Alec Burks #18 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against Yuta Watanabe #18, Fred VanVleet #23, and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors have been through a ton over this season, but they still rank as a better team than the New York Knicks at the moment. Even with Goran Dragic sitting out, Toronto’s 23-23 record puts them slightly above Julius Randle, Alec Burks, and the rest of the team.

The Knicks have been so frustrated this season that they have signaled their desire to remake their roster already, as they are allegedly looking for trade options surrounding Burks, Evan Fournier, and Kemba Walker. Are the Knicks selling or looking to add some win-now pieces?

If the latter is true, Dragic could be moved to New York. After playing in just five games following his trade from Miami, maybe playing in New York gives him more motivation to return to the floor? He would certainly give Tom Thibodeau another veteran player instead of a bench presence.

Will the Raptors pull this trade off? There are some negative aspects to this deal that could give Masai Ujiri and a team fighting for the future some pause for thought. WOuld Burks be worth adding to the bench considering how this season has gone.

Pros and Cons of Toronto Raptors trading Goran Dragic for Alec Burks.

Pros

Burks, who offers point guard/off-ball guard versatility, is averaging 39% from 3-point range and 11.1 points per game. That second number would be the best of any Raptors reserve, making him the leading candidate to lead the bench if Dragic ends up in New York.

One of the main reasons that Thibodeau chose to bench an established starting point guard in Kemba Walker to give Burks more run was his defensive skills and hustle. At 6-6 with plenty of muscle and speed, a Raptors defense that thrives on creating chaos via switching would love adding Burks.

The Toronto Raptors could gain bench quality by dealing Goran Dragic.

While Dragic’s infamous higher ambitions quote showed that he was being viewed as a declaration of his intentions to play for a contender, being traded to New York will test that resolve. They’ll guarantee him minutes and allow him to relish all the benefits of playing for arguably the league’s most visible Eastern franchise.

New York might be more motivated to make this deal if they have some assurance that Dragic will play for them. The Knicks get a better offensive point guard and some draft capital, and the Raptors get a cheaper, active Dragic replacement who should immediately take over the team’s Sixth Man role.