Despite not playing in more than a week, there have still been Los Angeles Lakers rumors popping up in the media. The most recent one involves someone who spent the majority of the season in Los Angeles already, but with the LA Clippers.
The Clippers pulled off one of the bigger trades prior to the NBA Trade Deadline. They acquired Marcus Morris from the New York Knicks, sending Maurice Harkless, a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 pick swap and a 2021 second-round pick via the Detroit Pistons.
It was quite a haul for the Knicks, as Morris is an impending free agent. They didn’t add any future salary to their books and added two more draft assets. However, it was a blow to the Lakers as well.
The main competition to the Clippers for acquiring Morris was the Lakers. The asking price was high, as Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma and future second-round picks were requested by New York.
While the Lakers were unable to take advantage of a deal involving the Knicks prior to the deadline, they could benefit from a move the Knicks make in the coming days.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, during an appearance on The Sedano Show, the Lakers are monitoring the situation with Harkless and the Knicks in case he eventually asks the team for a buyout.
Right now, there are reportedly no talks between Harkless and the Knicks discussing a buyout. However, it is something that could be broached after some discussions between Harkless and his representation.
Moe Harkless says he hasn't initiated any talks with the Knicks about taking a buyout before the end of the month. He says he and his agent might talk about it at some point and weigh whether he wants to play for a contender. The Knicks traded for him in the Marcus Morris deal.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) February 19, 2020
While going from a championship-contending team to one focusing on the lottery isn’t normally something that entices a player, Harkless could be happy about being in New York. He attended college at St. John’s University, was born in Queens and attended prep school in Connecticut.
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A homecoming is something that can ease the pain of leaving a contending team. However, should that homecoming feeling wear off, Harkless wouldn’t lack for suitors, as the Lakers are as much of a contender as the Clippers are.
The Lakers, after striking out on the buyout market, would like to get a player of Harkless’ caliber. He would fit the mold of what they are looking for, as he is a wing defender that can knock down some 3-pointers.
His defense would be what the Lakers like the most, as they have struggled to find another wing defender when they got smaller with Anthony Davis at the center spot. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley and Green are all a little small to be defending wings full-time, so adding another player that can flip between small and power forward would be a good idea.
If the opportunity presents itself, Harkless would probably jump at the chance to return to a contending team and get some revenge on the Clippers.
It is crazy to think a team that is closer to the No. 1 overall pick than a playoff spot, in the Knicks, will impact the playoff race so much.