The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks share one of the most storied rivalries in basketball, and with both teams currently positioned as championship contenders in the Eastern Conference, the competition extends beyond the court. In addition to their on-court battles, NBA rumors suggest that the two rivals are also vying against each other in the trade market.
Heading into today’s NBA games, the Boston Celtics hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, sitting around 20 games above .500. Despite dealing with injuries, the New York Knicks are only a few games behind Boston and would currently secure the No. 3 seed if the NBA playoffs began today.
While both teams trail the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 1 seed and are generally considered second-tier NBA Finals contenders behind Cleveland and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the upcoming NBA trade deadline could provide an opportunity for both the Celtics and Knicks to make moves that help close the gap.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets are among the top teams showing interest in trading for Philadelphia 76ers forward.
Top star, 29, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason after a standout performance in the EuroLeague and an impressive showing for France during the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the 76ers effectively out of playoff contention, the team is looking to trade role players like Yabusele to improve its chances of retaining its first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Denver Nuggets may face the biggest challenge in acquiring Guerschon Yabusele, as they currently lack any future second-round picks eligible for trade. In contrast, the New York Knicks hold the rights to either Boston’s or Memphis’ 2025 second-round pick, along with their own 2026 second-round selection. The Boston Celtics also have the Washington Wizards’ 2025 second-round pick at their disposal.
Yabusele, standing 6-foot-8, has been playing his best basketball recently, finishing January with averages of 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 52.6% from the field and an impressive 41.3% from three-point range. As a half-season rental, it would likely require just two second-round picks to acquire him.
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