Knicks Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers Inquire About Courtney Lee
New York Knicks rumors: Courtney Lee has garnered interest from the Los Angeles Clippers in trade talks.
New York Knicks rumors continue to come in with the NBA Trade Deadline less than an hour away. This time, the Knicks are receiving calls from the Los Angeles Clippers, and not about Carmelo Anthony.
According to Ian Begley and Ramona Shelburne, the Clippers have inquired with the Knicks about shooting guard Courtney Lee.
"Knicks and Clippers have had recent talks about shooting guard Courtney Lee, sources tell Ramona Shelburne and I. The Knicks have been seeking draft picks back in most conversations they’ve had with teams, per sources. The Clippers don’t have any immediate first-round picks to offer to New York may have to settle for a player or get a third team involved to push a deal through."
The need for a wing has been there for years for the Clippers. They have an impressive big-three with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, but have not gotten production from small forward. They have been using Luc Mbah a Mute at small forward this season and the results haven’t been great.
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Lee would represent a major upgrade on the wing of Mbah a Mute and give the Clippers another defender on the perimeter. While Lee has more value defending backcourt players, he would take pressure off J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford defending small forwards.
With that being said, what can the Knicks look to receive? Lee is one of the better players they have; all the positives he would bring to Los Angeles he brings to them. They shouldn’t trade him unless they are getting back some type of draft pick compensation or a young player.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, the Clippers do not have first round picks readily available in the near future. That is where the third team that Begley mentions comes into play. But, that is probably on the Clippers to find. The Knicks shouldn’t be in a rush to move Lee, as he has value to their team regardless of if they make any other moves today.
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Lee is a consummate professional and someone that is good for the Knicks locker room. Even if the Knicks begin their rebuild around Kristaps Porzingis today, Lee is the type of player that they would benefit from keeping around.