A late addition to the Knicks’ past summer spending spree, veteran forward Marcus Morris is heading to Western Conference contender Lakers.

The New York Knicks are trading veteran forward Marcus Morris to the Los Angeles Clippers, The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported.

Morris, 30, was a latecomer to the ‘Bockers during the past summer, as the former Boston Celtics stretch four agreed to sign with New York after reneging on a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs. Eventually, after annoying a crotchety Gregg Popovich, Morris inked a one-year contract with the Knicks worth $15 million.

Morris, however, is an expiring contract and pending free agent in the summer of 2020, and the Knicks decided it was best to part with its leading scorer for the 2019–20 season, selling high on the forward during their tumultuous rebuild.

In 43 games, Marcus Morris averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a contest, shooting 44.2% from the field and a scorching 43.9% from three.

The Clippers are reportedly parting with veteran forward Maurice Harkless and possibly young pieces in shooting guard Terance Mann and 6-foot-9 center Mfiondu Kabengele to acquire the expiring Morris as they hope to secure the top spot in the loaded Western Conference. The Knicks are expected to land a first-round pick from L.A., too.

Morris was suited by a few teams including the rival Los Angeles Lakers and hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Morris scored his career-best 38 points against the Clippers on January 5th at the Staples Center.

The Morris trade is the first deal after Knicks owner James Dolan dismissed Steve Mills as president of basketball operations on Tuesday, with general manager Scott Perry in charge in the interim. New York has since filled the team president position by hiring CAA power agent Leon Rose along with his peer “World Wide Wes” William Wesley on Thursday. It’s believed Perry is controlling the Knicks’ front office at the trade deadline, however, while Rose’s deal with the franchise is being finalized in the coming days.

Morris could be the first of several emancipated ‘Bockers departing the Big Apple due to the front office’s various short-term deals conceived last summer. Perry’s cap sheet beyond next year (only Julius Randle was signed to a guaranteed deal past 2021 in the offseason aside from the Knicks’ drafted players on their rookie deals). Other possible players on their way out include big men Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson and embattled third-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr., the latter of whom was acquired in the blockbuster Kristaps Porzingis trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

UPDATE: 2:29 p.m. ET.

Per Newsday’s Steve Popper, the deal will also send a first round pick to New York.

UPDATE: 2:59 p.m. ET.

Per Woj, the deal comes as part of a three-team package with the Clippers and the Washington Wizards.

UPDATE: 3:11 p.m. ET.

New York will get the draft rights to Issuf Sannon, per the Athletic D.C.’s David Aldridge.

UPDATE: 3:49 p.m. ET.

Mike Vorkunov of the Athletic details the final terms of the deal for New York.

UPDATE: 8:32 p.m. ET.

The Knicks announce the official trade:

 

Related Content

»READ: Can the Knicks trade for D’Angelo Russell?

»READ: The Knicks need to look to the future when dealing in the trade market

»READ: A case for keeping Knicks forward Marcus Morris