Knicks could trade for $90 million Clippers wing in surprising deal | Sporting News

The New York Knicks are missing something from their roster.

The Knicks have made a ton of personnel changes over the last calendar year between acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, and while both players promise to be huge additions for New York, their arrival has also contributed to a void of sorts on the Knicks’ depth chart.

Losing a guy like Donte DiVincenzo has made the Knicks less explosive on the wing, something that another move could remedy.

It would take some brilliant negotiating and would come at a painful price, but New York should consider making a play for Norman Powell of the LA Clippers.

If the Knicks could find a way to add Powell to their current core without giving up any of said core in the deal, they’d have a roster capable of competing with a Boston or a Cleveland in the East.

Powell is in the fourth year of a five-year, $90 million deal. He’s been ridiculous for the Clippers this season averaging 26.0 points per game on an absurd 50.5 percent from three.

The Clippers have no reason to trade Powell, especially with Kawhi Leonard out. But if things turn south for the 6-5 Clippers in a month or two, New York could swoop in and make an offer for Powell that exploits LA’s need for big guys and draft picks.

The Knicks could offer the center-starved Clippers Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa’s expiring contract (trade-eligible December 15) for Powell along with a first-rounder. LA could pick between New York’s first-rounders in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2031 (the latter, most likely the more valuable).

With LA throwing in Mo Bamba to make the money work, they’d be hugely upgrading from Bamba to Robinson at backup center, snagging a first-rounder, and shaving some salary by turning Powell’s $20.5 million owed next season into Robinson’s $13 million.

If the Clippers do slide down the standings and are intent on rebuilding, it would be a trade worth considering.

The Knicks should get an offer for Powell ready. He’ll be coveted by the Los Angeles Lakers and others between now and the deadline.

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