The Los Angeles Clippers are eyeing more than one Kentucky stud this offseason. After the recent news on former All-Star John Wall potentially making the move to LA, now it appears the team wants to swing a trade with the New York Knicks for center Nerlens Noel.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Clippers have indeed engaged in trade talks with the Knicks to acquire the big man.
The New York Knicks have had exploratory discussions on trading center Nerlens Noel to the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype. Noel could fit into the Clippers’ $9.7 million trade exception previously generated by the Serge Ibaka trade. The Knicks have a surplus of draft pick compensation (22 picks total over the next seven years) to dangle.
In this scenario, the Clippers might actually be the ones getting compensated instead of paying a pretty penny to get Noel over. The Knicks have every incentive to simply move Nerlens' contract off their books as they make room to offer Jalen Brunson a hefty contract. LAC's trade exception would allow New York to trade Noel without getting anything in return.
According to our HoopsHype salary cap expert, Yossi Gozlan, if the Knicks can trade Noel without taking any salary back in a deal, New York could generate a total of $24.5 million in cap space. That figure would help the Knicks make an aggressive run at Jalen Brunson in free agency. The $24.5 million would include waiving Taj Gibson, as previously reported on the last HoopsHype intel report, and keeping Mitchell Robinson’s cap hold so they can re-sign him.
The Clippers' potential acquisition of Noel would likely signal a parting of ways with current backup Isaiah Hartenstein. But a looming John Wall addition coupled with a defensive ace in Noel could be a huge boon to LA's title chase efforts next season.
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