Grizzlies potential trade with Knicks would give New York NBA’s best defense | Sporting News

The Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks could engage in a deal that would give the Knicks arguably the NBA’s best defense.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has listed Grizzlies guard and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart as a key trade target for the Knicks.

Depending on how Memphis’ season goes over the first few months — which depends largely on the health of Ja Morant — the Grizzlies might be open to dealing Smart if they can receive present and future value in return.

That’s where the Knicks come into the picture, according to Bailey.

“After splashy, expensive trades that landed them Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, it sure feels like the New York Knicks are done,” Bailey said.

“They’re leveraged to the hilt, already have one of the best-fitting starting lineups in the NBA, and could reach a breaking point if they aggregate more outgoing contracts.”

“And that’s almost certainly what they’d have to do to land Marcus Smart, their latest rumored trade target.”

“Still, even if it might be hard to cobble together a decent second unit after such a trade, a top six of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Bridges, OG Anunoby, KAT and Smart would rival just about any other in the league.”

The Knicks have an uphill battle to climb in the Eastern Conference as long as the Boston Celtics are healthy.

It would behoove New York to make a deal for a former Celtic (Smart) who has been chomping at the bit to play spoiler against Boston.

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