The New York Knicks are one of the worst teams in the NBA. They also have one of the most sought-after players in the days leading up to Thursday’s 2020 trade deadline.

Marcus Morris has been in trade rumors for much of his first season with the Knicks. Averaging career-highs in several statistical categories, Morris has become a target of contenders that are looking to add a forward for an NBA Finals run.

New York and Morris are reportedly interested in coming to terms on a multi-year contract when his deal is up at the end of the season. The Knicks, however, have not closed the door on trading the veteran.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on “SportsCenter” Monday afternoon that the Knicks will be open-minded about trading Morris if they are “blown away” with an offer. That could mean New York would consider dealing their leading scorer in exchange for a lottery-level first-round pick, which is the team’s asking price, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

No playoff team, of course, will be in the lottery. That could eliminate a suitor like the Los Angeles Clippers, which currently has the No.27 overall pick in June’s draft and has reportedly shown interest in acquiring Morris.

The Clippers or another playoff-bound team could conceivably try to include a third team in order for the Knicks to receive a better draft pick in a Morris trade. The Houston Rockets, for example, are exploring the idea of trading Clint Capela in exchange for assets that could be flipped for an impact wing, according to Wojnarowski.

It’s been speculated that the Knicks would be able to get a late first-rounder for Morris. New York would also have to acquire an NBA player in a trade, potentially one that is signed beyond this season.

Morris is averaging 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game on a one-year, $15 million contract. The 30-year-old is making 43.8% of his 6.2 three-point attempts per game. J.J. Redick is the only NBA player that’s attempting at least 5.4 threes per game and shooting a better percentage than Morris.

The Knicks are 14-36, set to miss the playoffs for a seventh straight season.

Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris #13 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on October 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
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