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The Best Marcus Morris Trade For The New York Knicks

By Lorenzo DeScala

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13: Marcus Morris Sr. #13 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13: Marcus Morris Sr. #13 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Is this the trade That gets the New York Knicks the young star they’ve been coveting?

With the trade deadline looming and their record sinking, the New York Knicks figure to be likely sellers at the deadline. The Knicks are looking to add another young star to the Big Apple, and this is one of the best ways they can.

New York Knicks Trade: Marcus Morris and Wayne Ellington

LA Clippers Trade: Montrezl Harrell, Jerome Robinson and Moe Harkless

Rarely do you see a win-win trade in the NBA, but for the Knicks and Clippers, both sides walk away from this transaction smiling ear to ear. It has been recently reported that the Knicks would not trade Morris unless they received a star type player in return by Ashish Mathur of ClutchPoints. Montrezl Harrell fits the bill.

Harrell has enjoyed the best season of his career coming off the bench for LA, averaging 19.2 points and 7.2 rebounds a game this season. In fact, Harrell has seen his points and rebounding numbers rise every season since he entered the league. So why would the Clippers even consider trading Harrell?

The 6’7 Power Forward is on the final year of a two year 12 million dollar extension. With the Clippers already having so much money tied up in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and Harrell’s fit on the offensive side of the court with those recently mentioned superstars the Clippers may try to see what they can get in return. They need to look no further than Marcus Morris and the New York Knicks to get the value they desire.

According to Bleacher Report, in the off-season, the Clippers offered Marcus Morris a three year 41 million dollar contract. He originally turned it down in an attempt to find more lucrative options. With LA already showing an interest in Morris, a trade becomes much more realistic. Throw in the fact that Morris is having a career year scoring 19 points per game while being second in 3-point percentage hitting 46.7% of his shots from deep.

Morris even saved his best performance of the season for the Clippers, scoring 38 points on 13-19 from the field and a scorching 6-7 from long range. Morris’ shooting makes him a perfect fit on the LA bench and alongside Leonard and George, while Harrell has been more of a square peg in a round hole.

Harrell would also offer the Knicks flexibility when it comes to their line up. Harrell would be able to start at the 4 or 5, or continue to come off the bench as he has in LA. With this flexibility it eases questions about his fit alongside the Knick’s young promising center in Mitchell Robinson.

Being able to score a young prospect like Jerome Robinson is also a victory. Robinson was a lottery pick in the 2018 draft out of Boston College who has struggled to crack the Clippers lineup, and a change of scenery has been overdue. Robinson has been tearing up the G-League averaging 18.9 points per game shooting 41% from deep. The New York Knicks would be able to give Robinson something the Clippers never could… minutes.

Wayne Ellington and Moe Harkless are both added to make the money work but both can still contribute to their respective new teams. Ellington is an elite sharpshooter and no team would turn away shooting. The Clippers would have a team option on Ellington for next season, so his stay in LA doesn’t have to be long term.

Harkless would bring veteran leadership to this young Knicks team who would be losing their current leader in Marcus Morris. Similar to Ellington, Harkless has only one year left on his deal so his stay in the Big Apple won’t extend beyond this season.

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It will be hard for New York to give up Morris and for LA to give up Harrell, but both teams look to improve from this trade. Los Angeles sees their championship odds rise while the Knicks acquire a young star and continue to build for the future.

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