Jordan Clarkson started for the New York Knicks in their double-overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, a bittersweet moment as it may have been his final appearance for the team. With the trade deadline approaching rapidly, Clarkson has emerged as the player most possibly headed for a trade as the Knicks look to adjust their roster.
Limited Trade Options Leave the Knicks in a Tight Spot
For some time, Guerschon Yabusele was viewed as the Knicks’ main candidate to be traded. However, the challenge of moving his $5.8 million player option for next season has caused potential trade partners to hesitate. New York faces the difficulty of having to include additional incentives in any deal involving Yabusele, as teams want more than just a salary relief without receiving a contributing player in return.
Although the Knicks are open to adding extra assets to facilitate a trade, they must balance this with the goal of upgrading the roster. The team lacks abundant expendable assets, especially first-round pick swaps and second-round selections, which it is reluctant to part with unless an exceptional opportunity arises. This caution increases if Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo remains with the Bucks through the trade deadline, limiting available moves across the league.
After Yabusele, the Knicks have few clear trade candidates. They are unwilling to part ways with Landry Shamet due to his low salary and solid contributions. Tyler Kolek’s place in the rotation is uncertain when the team is healthy, but the Knicks hesitate to move him just to add minor roster flexibility. While Ariel Hukporti is more easily traded, Mitchell Robinson’s injury concerns and Yabusele’s inconsistencies complicate any decision to release another big man without acquiring an adequate replacement.
Clarkson Has Become the Knicks’ Most Probable Trade Candidate
Pacome Dadiet is not being overlooked, but trading him is complicated by his limited NBA experience and the likelihood that teams would require compensation, such as a second-round pick, to take on his contract, which is slightly above the minimum. This situation unintentionally positions Jordan Clarkson as the most likely player to be traded.
Unlike others, Clarkson’s minimum salary is manageable for virtually any team, and the Knicks could potentially remove him from their roster simply by including cash in the trade. Given the current circumstances, it would be surprising if a deal is not finalized before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. EST this Thursday.
The Knicks’ front office needs the flexibility to clear salary to sign free agents who become available midseason through buyouts, as well as to potentially convert Kevin McCullar Jr. from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal. Clarkson’s reduced role on the team, combined with the complexity of trading other players, strongly suggests that Wednesday’s game was likely Clarkson’s last as a Knick.
This development signals a significant moment for New York as they navigate a challenging trade deadline. It highlights the tensions and frustrations within the team’s roster management, reflecting a broader discomfort in finding the right balance between competitiveness and financial flexibility.
