The New York Knicks reportedly made a blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves last week to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns.
And the Knicks may not be done with the trade market just yet, as a former Celtics star could be in their sights.
Kris Pursiainen, who covers the Knicks for BallisLife.com, revealed Friday night that the Knicks are interested in trading for Marcus Smart.
“The New York Knicks have had internal discussions about a potential deal for Marcus Smart, according to sources familiar with the situation,” Pursiainen wrote on the X platform. “There has previously been rumors of interest in Smart from NYK. No deal is imminent, but multiple sources say the Knicks are eager to be aggressive in the market.”
Smart is well-known to the Knicks from his nine seasons with the Celtics, who drafted him sixth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. During his time with the Celtics, Smart emerged into a fiery leader and a formidable defender, becoming the first guard since Gary Payton to be named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
Smart, who averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 32.3% from three, helped the Celtics get to five Eastern Conference finals and one NBA Finals appearance in 2022.
Smart, on the other hand, watched from afar as the Celtics ascended to the summit and won an NBA championship this past June, something he had never done with the team. Prior to the start of last season, the Celtics traded Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team transaction that resulted in Boston receiving Kristaps Porzingis.
Smart’s first season with the Grizzlies was unsuccessful. He appeared in only 20 games, missing the final three months of the season due to a finger injury. The 30-year-old did post a career-high 14.7 points per game during his brief season.
Smart was unable to play during the Grizzlies’ visit to the Celtics last season due to an ailment. But if Smart joins the Knicks soon, he will have four opportunities to avenge his previous team, including when the Celtics raise their championship banner on opening night.