NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers could trade first round pick to New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers at press conference before game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers at press conference before game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Draft is nearing closer and with as many as three teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets interested in acquiring a first round pick, they may have finally found a taker as the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in trading their first round pick.

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The Clippers own the No. 28 pick, but according to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register the team is exploring the possibilities of trading the pick for help on the wing and that the Knicks Iman Shumpert or the Charlotte Hornets Gerald Henderson in a potential draft-day trade.

The Clippers aren’t lacking for players on the wing with Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes, Jared Dudley, J.J. Redick, Willie Green, and Reggie Bullock on the roster, but apparently Doc Rivers isn’t content with that ensemble of talent and wants to get more athletic on the perimeter.

What could be even more perplexing is that the Clippers would be exploring using their first round pick to address a position which wouldn’t be categorized as a glaring weakness rather than improving the front court where the team lacks depth behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

There may be some fire to this smoke as Shumpert has been the subject of trade rumors since the end of the season and the Knicks have been persistent in their desire to trade into the bottom of the first round with some draft prospects even going so far to say they think the Knicks will be taking them tonight.