The Knicks have already made two significant trades this offseason. They invested heavily to acquire Mikal Bridges, giving up four unprotected first-round picks, an unprotected selection swap in 2028, and a top-four protected first-round pick from the Bucks in 2025.
Just before training camp, they addressed their center position concerns by trading for Karl-Anthony Towns, bringing him to the “Big Apple.”
In the author’s view, these moves position the Knicks as the primary external threat to the reigning champions in the Eastern Conference.
However, team president Leon Rose might seek to enhance the franchise’s championship aspirations by adding a player previously referred to as “the heart and soul” of the Celtics.
According to Knicks reporter Kris Pursiainen, New York has had “internal discussions” about trading for Marcus Smart.
“While no deal is imminent, several sources indicate that the Knicks are open to being active in the market,” Pursiainen reports.
Smart’s current team, the Grizzlies, has a significant investment in Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, with Jaren Jackson Jr. also due for a new deal starting in the 2026-27 season.
The former Celtics point guard is earning $20.2 million this year and has two years remaining on his contract.
If Memphis, which was plagued by injuries last season, starts off poorly, the speculation about Smart’s potential trade will likely intensify.
However, with the draft capital New York used to acquire Bridges, they also sent a 2025 first-round pick via the Pistons to the Timberwolves, limiting what they can offer to entice the Grizzlies for Smart.
Miles McBride, a promising guard, could be included in a potential trade package from New York. However, depending on Zach Edey’s development and Memphis’s assessment of the currently injured Mitchell Robinson, McBride might be the only appealing asset the Knicks are willing to part with.
From this perspective, it seems unlikely that Smart will end up in New York. If the Grizzlies have better luck with injuries this season, he may stay in Memphis throughout the upcoming campaign.
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