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Ranking the LA Clippers’ top five threats in free agency

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 03: LA Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) sets up the offense during a NBA game between the New York Knicks and the LA Clippers on March 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 03: LA Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) sets up the offense during a NBA game between the New York Knicks and the LA Clippers on March 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 3: New York Knicks

Projected cap room: $72.9 million

Like the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks are another case of the “older brother” team struggling while the “younger brother” flourishes.

Despite being projected to have more money than any other franchise in free agency this summer, the Knicks are another team plagued by dysfunction. They’re also in a bit of a drought as well, having not made the playoffs for the last six seasons — tied for the franchise’s longest streak without a playoff appearance since the 1960s.

It’s no secret that the Knicks are keen on pairing either Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker with Kevin Durant this summer, and there’s certainly a chance they do that. Rumor has it that Durant’s teammates think he’ll end up in New York this summer, while Irving is expected to be all but on his way out of Boston. That being said, the interest between Irving and New York has seemed to simmer down as of late.

The only reasons we have the Knicks lower than the Brooklyn Nets on this list has to do with the front office dysfunction, and the fact that the Nets were a playoff team this season. The Knicks’ young core of Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson isn’t exactly the most desirable group of players, either.

The biggest threat the Knicks pose to the LA Clippers has to do with their pursuit of a meeting with Kawhi Leonard. However, even if they get one, it’s doesn’t seem likely that he would choose New York over the Clippers or re-signing with the Toronto Raptors.

The Knicks will probably make a big splash in free agency this summer, but assuming they’re still a long shot to land Durant or Leonard, they shouldn’t interfere much with the Clippers’ goals.

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