According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Boston Celtics have reached out to the New York Knicks about a trade for Marcus Smart.
The Boston Celtics have earned their man. Gordon Hayward will sign with the Celtics. However, it’s all pending a move for salary dump. Marcus Smart could be the next New York Knicks point, guard.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne first reported that the Celtics were shopping Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Jae Crowder earlier this afternoon.
Celtics have been shopping Smart, Crowder & Bradley today as they try to clear room for Hayward. Story w/ @wojespn https://t.co/bzGpB4UCEj
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 5, 2017
Then, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reported that the Celtics had made contact with New York regarding the point guard.
Boston reached out to people with NYK about Marcus Smart, per sources. The Knicks' level of interest in Smart at the moment is unclear. https://t.co/QT0CrXVOBh
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 5, 2017
Like Ian states here, the level of interest is unclear. However, after losing out on almost every free agent point guard, New York may opt to trade for Smart.
The backup point guard for Boston, he had a great third season and came up big for the Celtics in the post-season. He averaged 8.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds through 18 games.
Smart is considered a capable defender, something the Knicks would certainly take advantage of. More of a score-first point guard, he did show signs of excellent passing in the Celtics’ last playoff run.
Should the price be right, the Knicks will no doubt execute on this trade. They need a point guard more than anything, but then again it is Danny Ainge. It’s rare he walks away from a trade the loser.
