NY Knicks: Should NY trade for Marcus Smart in the offseason?

The real question is would the Celtics be willing to trade Marcus Smart to the NY Knicks, an Atlantic Division rival, in the offseason…

But, this is my world and I make the rules here.

Smart’s name has come up in potential trade talks already this offseason and I’m not entirely sure as to why.

The man has been the heart and soul of the C’s for years now and it’s tough to imagine them wanting to move on from the former Oklahoma State Cowboy.

They may not have a choice though.

Brad Stevens recently stepped down from his role as Boston’s head coach and instead took a position in the front office.

The move kind of came out of left field, and is likely going to have to make some splashy moves in the offseason in order to keep his spot within the C’s organization.

Should NY Knicks kick the tires on whether the C’s will give up Marcus Smart?

While the Knicks have been rumored to be heavily interested in trading for Damian Lillard, the Celtics’ name is also brought up as a potential destination and Smart would likely be included in a trade.

But say the C’s can’t find a suitable trade partner…then what?

Boston likely still holds the team’s defensive leader in high regard, but with Evan Fournier looking to be re-signed, alongside the Celtics being unable to move off of Kemba Walker’s contract, Smart could be the odd man out.

Smart is set to make $14 million this next season before entering unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2022.

This presents a concern within itself as well because the Celtics barely have any room to wiggle as is, how are they going to pay Smart come next offseason?

He will likely be looking for a contract in the vicinity of $16-19 million annually on a 3 or 4 year deal.

Boston shouldn’t have that kind of money…but the Knicks will…

Here is a trade I worked up for Smart:

Here the Knicks sign-and-trade Frank Ntilikina to Boston, and funnily enough I’ve written a comparison piece regarding Smart and Frank before.

Boston also receives the Dallas 2023 protected first and some variant of a future 2nd round pick.

Smart is coming off one of his better seasons last year and while he’s always been the heart of the C’s defense, he’s becoming better and better on the offensive side of the ball.

I just think he embodies everything there is about being a New York Knick and would fit a Tom Thibodeau-ran team like a glove.

If the Knicks were to acquire Smart, he would come in and be their starting shooting guard, moving RJ over to the 3 and Reggie Bullock down to the bench where I think he’s better suited anyway.

All they’d need is a solid point guard and that’s one helluva offseason if ya ask me.