The harsh realities of the playoffs exposed the Celtics. They need another scorer and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony can be the guy.

The Boston Celtics look completely overmatched in their first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls. Isaiah Thomas needs another scorer, and Carmelo Anthony fits the bill.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Boston and the New York Knicks may finally pull the trigger on an Anthony trade.

Per Berman, general manager Danny Ainge was hesitant about an Anthony trade at the deadline. The coaching staff was on board. His team’s performance against the Bulls could soften that stance.

According to an NBA source, the Celtics coaching staff was in favor of trading for Anthony at the trade deadline, but general manager Danny Ainge had too many reservations. One of Ainge’s concerns, according to a source, was an Anthony trade would have given Boston no real cap space to work with for the 2017 free-agent class.

Ainge definitely had some valid concerns. Adding Anthony would handicap Boston’s ability to sign Gordon Hayward this summer.

The Knicks would want Phil Jackson favorite Jae Crowder back in any trade. Crowder is one of the league’s top perimeter defenders and a knockdown three-point shooter.

New York could use some help with both. They were 25th in defensive rating and 21st in three-point percentage.

Prying that Brooklyn Nets first-round pick away is probably a pipe dream, but dare to dream Lonzo Ball fans. Dare to dream.


ESNY’s Chip Murphy handed out some regular season awards to the Knicks. They could use the encouragement.

 NEXT: New York Knicks: 2016-17 Regular Season Awards