Jordan Clarkson’s Knicks Exit Feels Imminent - And It Makes Sense
Jordan Clarkson got the starting nod for the Knicks in their double-overtime win over the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Poetic, in a way - because it might very well be the last time he suits up in a Knicks uniform.
With the trade deadline looming, Clarkson’s name isn’t just floating around in trade rumors - it’s practically etched on the departure board. His minutes have been trending in the wrong direction for weeks, and he’s racked up four DNPs in the past two weeks alone. For a veteran who’s proven he can still put up points in bunches, that’s not just a red flag - it’s a signal flare.
Let’s be clear: Clarkson isn’t the only Knick on the trade block. But he’s quickly become the most likely to be moved. And that’s not just about his fit or his production - it’s about the math, the market, and the Knicks’ current roster puzzle.
The Knicks Are Running Low on Trade Chips
For a while, Guerschon Yabusele looked like the obvious candidate to be moved. But that $5.8 million player option for next season?
It’s giving potential trade partners pause. And understandably so - that’s a chunk of change for a player who hasn’t exactly carved out a meaningful role.
If the Knicks want to offload him, they’ll likely have to attach some kind of sweetener - a second-round pick, maybe more.
The problem? New York doesn’t have a deep war chest of assets they’re eager to part with.
And if Giannis Antetokounmpo stays put in Milwaukee past Thursday, the front office may be even more reluctant to burn future capital. That limits their leverage and makes it tougher to turn Yabusele into someone who can actually contribute right now.
Beyond Yabusele, the list of movable pieces gets thin in a hurry.
Landry Shamet’s been too valuable for his price tag to justify a move - dealing him would be the kind of short-sighted mistake that can come back to bite you. Tyler Kolek’s role is a bit murky when the roster is fully healthy, but the Knicks aren’t about to ship out a promising young guard just to slightly increase their flexibility. Ariel Hukporti is technically movable, but with Mitchell Robinson’s injury concerns and Yabusele’s inconsistency, the Knicks can’t afford to thin out their frontcourt depth without bringing in another big.
Why Clarkson’s the Most Logical Trade Chip
That brings us back to Clarkson. He’s on a minimum salary, which makes him incredibly easy to move.
Most teams can absorb his deal without having to send back matching salary - a huge plus in today’s cap landscape. The Knicks could likely get him off the books with nothing more than cash considerations.
And from a roster management perspective, that move would open up some much-needed breathing room under the second apron. That kind of flexibility matters - especially if New York wants to be a player in the post-deadline buyout market or if they’re looking to convert Kevin McCullar Jr.’s two-way contract into a standard deal.
There’s also the matter of Pacome Dadiet. Yes, he’s young and still developing, but he hasn’t shown much at the NBA level yet. And despite his age and potential, his slightly-above-minimum salary makes him a bit trickier to move - especially if teams are asking for a second-round pick just to take him on.
All of this adds up to one conclusion: Clarkson is the cleanest, most logical move the Knicks can make before the deadline. He’s not playing much, he’s easy to trade, and moving him helps the team both financially and logistically.
The Final Countdown
Unless something unexpected materializes - a surprise offer, an unforeseen injury, or a dramatic shift in the market - it would be genuinely surprising if Clarkson is still on the roster after Thursday’s 3 p.m. EST deadline.
He’s been a pro throughout his time in New York, and his scoring punch has been valuable in stretches. But the Knicks are at a crossroads. They’re trying to balance win-now urgency with long-term flexibility, and sometimes that means making tough - but necessary - roster decisions.
Clarkson’s likely on the move. And if Wednesday night was his Knicks finale, it was a fitting one: a gritty, double-overtime win against a top-tier opponent. A reminder of what he can do, even as the next chapter looms.