With the announcement of the signing of Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics need to clear room in order to make it official. It seems likely that the Celtics will have to give up a core member of their team; likely Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks are interested in trading for Marcus Smart:
The Celtics have shopped point guard Marcus Smart around the NBA to clear cap room to sign Gordon Hayward, and the Knicks have interest, according to an NBA source.
According to the source, the Knicks are looking into trade options to fill the cap space they have – about $15 million once they renounce the cap hold on Derrick Rose. Smart makes just $4.5 million this season and then becomes a restricted free agent in 2018.
Phil Jackson, before he was fired, and coach Jeff Hornacek each said the Knicks were attempting to bring better defenders into the fold. Smart certainly qualifies. They also are trying to add young players to the roster and Smart, 23, fits into their age frame
Smart is an extremely tough defender, and has made great strides as a playmaker and scorer. The Celtics have reportedly discussed a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, but if that doesn’t end up happening, Smart could be attainable for the Knicks.
