Knicks Trade Rumors: Courtney Lee Reportedly Drawing Interest from Clippers

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers have had discussions centered on guard Courtney Lee ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

Ian Begley and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reported the Knicks are pursuing draft picks in exchange for Lee, who they signed as a free agent last summer. The Clippers have already traded their 2017 and 2019 first-round picks, so their options are limited. Their 2021 first-round pick is their soonest eligible trade chip. 

Lee, 31, is averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season. He's been perhaps the Knicks' most useful offseason acquisition, shooting 41.8 percent from three and playing fine (albeit not great) defense. Lance Thomas is the only other Knick shooting 40 percent from three.

“It’s kind of crazy. If you go back and watch films from my early years, my shot is totally different,” Lee said of his improved form, per Barbara Baker of Newsday. “If you ask me about it, I think it feels the same. But it has a little swing in it. I don’t know where that came from. I don’t feel myself doing it, but it works.”

The Clippers have been on a years-long journey to improve their wing spots. J.J. Redick has been their only successful acquisition in that regard, with a revolving-door of wings coming and going since Doc Rivers took over as head coach.

Lee wouldn't shift the championship paradigm, but he might act as Redick insurance. Redick, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are all slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer, assuming Griffin and and Paul decline player options. Paul and Griffin will obviously be the top priorities, and it's possible some team with a ton of space comes in and lavishes the underrated Redick with a big contract.

Lee is under contract through the 2019-2020 season.