Last summer was a painful one for Boston Celtics fans. Obviously, everything worked out for the best. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday helped the team win their first championship in 16 years, and Bostonians were rewarded with confetti and a parade. But the price was Marcus Smart.
Prior to getting dealt, Smart was the longest-tenured player on the team. He was the heart and soul of the Celtics and a beloved figure within the fanbase and within his community. Trading him was a tough pill to swallow, but everything was worth it because the team delivered a championship to the city.
But if this new rumor comes true, Celtics fans could feel the heartache all over again.
Marcus Smart in a Knicks uniform would be brutal for Celtics fans
According to Kris Pursiainen of Knicks Film School, the New York Knicks have internally thrown around the idea of making a trade for Smart.
“The New York Knicks have had internal discussions about a potential deal for Marcus Smart per sources familiar with the situation,” Pursianien tweeted. “NYK has had rumored interest in Smart before. No deal is imminent but several sources indicated the Knicks are willing to be active on the market.”
The New York Knicks have had internal discussions about a potential deal for Marcus Smart per sources familiar with the situation.
— Kris Pursiainen (@krispursiainen) October 5, 2024
NYK has had rumored interest in Smart before. No deal is imminent but several sources indicated the Knicks are willing to be active on the market. pic.twitter.com/RZZzIFRKS0
It’s been a very loud summer for the Knicks. First, they made a massive trade for Mikal Bridges. Then, just before the start of training camp, they made another blockbuster, landing Karl-Anthony Towns in a shocking deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
And from the sound of things, they aren’t done quite yet.
New York has positioned itself to be the Celtics’ biggest rival in the Eastern Conference next season. Boston fans having to watch Smart play for a team that is trying to contend with them atop the East would be a nightmare.
Right now, it’s easy for Celtics fans to cheer on Smart, as he’s out West on the Memphis Grizzlies. It would be a much different story should the Knicks act on their apparent interest in the former Defensive Player of the Year.
It seems somewhat unlikely that the Grizzlies would give up on Smart just yet. They barely got to deploy him last season, as they dealt with a ton of bad injury luck.
However, if things don’t go according to plan in Memphis to start the year, perhaps there is a world where they consider potential trade options.
If it comes to that, there’s a good chance that the Knicks could be waiting to knock on the door. And that would be yet another tough pill for Celtics fans to swallow. Maybe an even tougher one.