Los Angeles Lakers rumors: New York Knicks set high price for Marcus Morris
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors give some insight to the negotiations with the New York Knicks for Marcus Morris before he was shipped to the LA Clippers.
While the NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, Los Angeles Lakers rumors remain. There have already been some Lakers rumors about plans the team has following the deadline.
According to reports, Los Angeles has plans to work out former Cleveland Cavalier, J.R. Smith. Smith has not played in an NBA game since November of 2018 but has a lot of playoff experience that could help the Lakers. His 3-point shooting and microwave scoring could help the team’s second unit.
In addition to Smith, there have also been Lakers rumors involving Darren Collison. Collison is currently retired, but there are reports that he is planning to return following the All-Star break. The Lakers could be his landing spot.
Adding either of those players will require some difficult roster decisions. The Lakers have a full roster currently, so they will have to waive someone. A reason for the roster remaining full is that they did not make a trade prior to the NBA Trade Deadline.
The Lakers were involved in plenty of rumors leading up to the deadline, but ultimately, remained pat. One player they were in on was New York Knicks forward, Marcus Morris.
Morris was ultimately traded to the Lakers rivals, the LA Clippers. It was a big blow for the Lakers to see someone they went after end up across the hallway. However, recent Lakers rumors provide some insight into why a deal was not made.
The Clippers landed Morris in what turned out to be a three-team deal. The Clippers traded away Maurice Harkless, their 2020 first-round pick, the right to swap 2021 first-round picks and a 2021 second-round pick, via the Detroit Pistons, to the Knicks.
The Clippers, Knicks and Wizards have agreed to a three-team trade that will land Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas with the Clippers, league sources tell ESPN. Jerome Robinson will join the Wizards, Moe Harkless and a 2020 first-round pick to the Knicks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2020
Jerome Robinson was sent to the Washington Wizards and Isaiah Thomas was shipped to the Clippers. But, Thomas will be held onto, according to David Aldridge.
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Depending on who you talk to, that is a steep price for what is essentially a rental in Morris. Lakers fans are disappointed not only missing out on Morris but seeing him go to the Clippers.
After seeing how negotiations went with the Knicks, some fans will be happy that he was not acquired.
The Knicks were adamant about wanting Kyle Kuzma in any trade for Morris. As the team’s best available trade chip, it made sense that is who New York targeted. Once he was pulled off the table, it was going to be difficult for the Lakers to acquire him. However, the demands from New York did not stop there.
According to Ramona Shelburne, the Knicks wanted Danny Green, to make the money work, in addition to multiple second-round draft picks.
Following up on Lakers-NYK talks. It wasn’t just Kyle Kuzma LA didn’t want to include in a deal for Marcus Morris. The Knicks also wanted Danny Green (to make the $ work) and future second round picks, per sources. Lakers decided that was too steep and walked away late.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 6, 2020
After what the organization surrendered for Anthony Davis, that was just not a feasible thing to agree to. Trading away two prominent rotation players for only one in Morris would not have made much sense either.
While Green and Kuzma have struggled at points this season, both are very important to the team reaching their potential this season.
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People will be disappointed the roster wasn’t upgraded prior to the deadline, but there are avenues for them to still find upgrades that won’t require them moving on from Green and Kuzma.