With point guard Chris Paul back from injury, the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to improve their position in the Western Conference standings, as they currently sit in fourth place. During Paul’s 18-game absence, Darren Collison, who is in the first season of a two-year, $1.9 million deal with the Clippers, helped fill the void by averaging 13.3 points per game and 6.5 assists per game.
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That production has apparently garnered the attention of the New York Knicks, who Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports is considering trading for Collison:
The Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks are discussing a deal centered around guard Iman Shumpert, league sources told Yahoo Sports. In proposed deals, the Clippers would send the Knicks a package that includes point guard Darren Collison for Shumpert and point guard Raymond Felton, sources told Yahoo Sports.
With news that J.J. Redick is expected to miss the next three-to-five weeks with a back injury, Shumpert could help provide depth and allow Jamal Crawford to return to his role as the sixth man. In order to acquire both Felton and Shumpert, the Clippers would need to include at least one more player. However, Wojarnowski also reports the talks are still in the early stages and nothing is imminent:
The discussions and proposed players are still fluid, league sources said, and a deal isn’t close to being reached. Nevertheless, Shumpert is an object of interest for the Clippers and the recent return of All-Star point guard Chris Paul makes Collison more expendable.
Felton signed a four-year, $14.8 million contract with the Knicks in 2012 and the point guard has often been a source of frustration for Knicks fans. At 20-33 and three and a half games out of the final playoff spot, the younger Collison could help revitalize the Knicks as they continue their fight to enter the playoff picture.
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