Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
The Knicks and Lakers have touched base about Kyle Kuzma, SNY sources confirm, but completing a two-team trade involving Kuzma would be complicated.
As NBA TV's Eric Pinus notes, the Lakers would probably need to send multiple players to the Knicks to take on Marcus Morris' $15 million salary.
A Kuzma to New York deal could also expand to more players or multiple teams to satisfy NBA trade rules.
This is obvious, but worth noting regarding the contact between the Lakers and Knicks: there are people with the Lakers who feel that Morris would be a great veteran addition to the roster. The Clippers are also among the contenders that had registered interest in Morris, per sources.
Something else to note on the Knicks and Lakers: before Knicks president Steve Mills was let go, New York and the Lakers touched base on potential trades, sources say. Among the players discussed were Allonzo Trier and Alex Caruso, per SNY sources. Talks at that time didn't advance, per sources.
As noted on Wednesday, the Knicks are more open to trading Morris in the wake of Mills' firing. Prior to Mills' firing, the club was motivated to keep Morris as it saw him as an important part of the future and, presumably, a key to New York winning games this season.
The general outlook for New York ahead of the trade deadline has shifted after Mills' firing. Opposing teams are under the impression that moves will be made primarily with a "seller's mentality" and that the Knicks will be active.
So no one should be surprised if New York now explores deals to move the veterans who they'd been relying on to help them win games. Along those lines, multiple teams have expressed interest in veteran Reggie Bullock. Trier was also mentioned in the Knicks' talks with Golden State about D'Angelo Russell.
The Athletic first reported that the Knicks had touched base with Los Angeles about Kuzma.