For Boston Celtics fans, the offseason has been a gut punch. The departure of beloved players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and potentially Al Horford has left the faithful reeling. But the pain cuts deeper when former Celtics don’t just leave—they join a bitter rival. That’s exactly what happened when Malcolm Brogdon, the 2023 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, inked a deal with the New York Knicks on Friday morning, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Adding insult to injury, fan-favorite Guerschon Yabusele also signed with the Knicks this summer, amplifying the sense that Boston’s rivals are thriving while the Celtics are stuck in a cycle of cost-cutting and roster turnover.
The Knicks, long known for riding their starters hard under Tom Thibodeau, have transformed into a team with one of the NBA’s deepest benches. With the surprising hiring of head coach Mike Brown this offseason, New York’s willingness to tap into that depth will be a storyline to watch in the 2025-26 season. The Eastern Conference is ripe for the taking, with injuries sidelining stars like Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton. For the Knicks, this is their golden opportunity to make a legitimate push for the NBA Finals—no excuses.
Brogdon, if he can stay healthy, might just be the Knicks’ secret weapon. His signing could prove to be one of the most under-the-radar moves of the offseason, giving New York a spark off the bench they’ve desperately needed.
Malcolm Brogdon’s time in Boston was short but sweet. During his tenure, he delivered 14.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 48.4% from the field, 44.4% from three, and 87.0% from the free-throw line. Despite his stellar regular-season performance, a forearm injury derailed him in the playoffs—a recurring theme in his career. Brogdon’s durability has been a question mark since his college days, and since winning Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, he hasn’t played more than 67 games in a single season. That injury history ultimately factored into Boston’s decision to trade him.
When healthy, though, Brogdon is a game-changer. His ability to score, facilitate, and shoot efficiently makes him one of the league’s premier backup guards. For a Knicks team that has struggled to generate offense when Jalen Brunson rests, Brogdon could be a perfect fit. The question remains: can he stay on the court long enough to make a meaningful impact?
For Celtics fans, seeing Brogdon and Yabusele don Knicks jerseys feels like a betrayal. The Boston-New York rivalry is one of the NBA’s fiercest, and watching former Celtics join the enemy stings. As the Knicks load up on talent and depth, they’re positioning themselves as a legitimate threat in the East. Meanwhile, Boston’s roster shakeup has left fans wondering if their team can keep pace.
Brogdon’s move to New York is more than just a transaction—it’s a bold statement. If he can overcome his injury woes, he could help the Knicks take a massive step forward. For now, Celtics fans can only grit their teeth and hope their former star doesn’t haunt them when the playoffs roll around. Time will tell if Brogdon’s gamble with the Knicks pays off, but one thing is certain: the rivalry just got a lot spicier.