Jordan Clarkson, a former Sixth Man of the Year award winner, has been a consistent presence for the New York Knicks during trade deadline. Clarkson is a microwave scorer who can come off the bench and score 20 or more points every night. After trading Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for RJ Barrett and a second-round pick for OG Anunoby, the Knicks could use a bench scorer.
Clarkson matches that precise requirement and has the potential to be a game changer for the Knicks, who have won nine of their previous ten games. Tony Jones spoke on ESPN 700’s “The Drive with Spence Checketts” and said the following regarding Clarkson playing in New York:
“Based on my talks with those involved in the matter, I believe Jordan [Clarkson] would embrace a trade [to the Knicks] if that’s how it goes down. He would be open to a trade to another team out west. I’m not going to divulge the identity of that team, and the reason is because there’s very little likelihood that deal will happen.”
The Knicks are interested in Jordan Clarkson.
With the need for a bench scorer and Clarkson on the market, this transaction makes sense for both parties. The Utah Jazz may acquire assets, while the Knicks would find a replacement for Quickley.
Clarkson, 31, is experiencing a bad year by his own standards. However, this may benefit the Knicks. The lower the cost, the better for New York. On the season, he averages 17.5 points per game. That would be his third-highest career point-per-game average. Clarkson, on the other hand, is shooting 29.1% from three on 5.5 tries a game, a career low.
The hope for the New York Knicks is that his shot would start to fall as he would be needed in their offense, especially with Julius Randle being out for at least the next few weeks with a shoulder injury.
Despite the struggles, an interest is there for the Knicks, says Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
“The Knicks also registered trade interest in Utah’s Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk earlier in January, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Jordan Clarkson’s Recent Play Could Benefit the Knicks
The New York Knicks might benefit from the recent play of Clarkson. Tony Jones added that it seems he is distracted by all of the trade rumors and that is why he could be playing this way.
“From where I sit, I see a guy that’s really distracted and knows by next Thursday he could be uprooting his life and moving somewhere else, and I think that’s kind of crept into his play and think that’s why you’re seeing some of the things that you’ve seen over the last five to seven days.”
