This was supposed to be the year the New York Knicks finally broke through in the Eastern Conference and returned to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. The path looked wide open: three major playoff teams from last season were crippled by Achilles tears, the Cleveland Cavaliers were wildly inconsistent, and the Orlando Magic were stalled by injuries and regression. It felt like a two-horse race between the Knicks and the upstart Detroit Pistons — and given Detroit’s youth, New York had every reason to feel confident about owning the East.
But the early-season excitement and presumed dominance have quickly unraveled. The Knicks are stumbling badly themselves — 2-8 in their last 10 games, sitting just two games above the Play-In line — plagued by key players constantly going in and out of the lineup and the familiar post-NBA Cup malaise that has hit every recent winner.
While New York still has time to sort themselves out and mount a strong postseason run, one unexpected obstacle is growing larger by the day: the Boston Celtics.
Boston Is Defying All Expectations – And Could Get Even Scarier
The Celtics were widely expected to take a “gap year” similar to the Indiana Pacers this season — missing Jayson Tatum (rehabbing a torn Achilles) and dealing with the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to shed salary. Instead, they’ve done the opposite: Boston is currently second in the East, powered by incredible play from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the surprise emergence of Jordan Walsh, and solid rotation minutes from Neemias Queta and Hugo Gonzalez.
The original plan at the trade deadline was to duck under the luxury tax, reset the repeater tax clock, and continue the summer salary purge. But with Boston firmly in contention, that calculus has changed dramatically.
The latest rumors indicate the Celtics are now actively searching for a long-term center upgrade to pair alongside Queta — and Mike Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Boston has already made calls about Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. The former Defensive Player of the Year isn’t necessarily on the trade block, but as Memphis continues to retool, a blockbuster move isn’t unthinkable for the right package.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
What JJJ Would Mean for Boston (and the Nightmare for New York)
Boston is already terrifying — with institutional knowledge, championship experience, and the looming return of a fully healthy Tatum before the playoffs. Their one clear weakness was the center position: Queta and offseason addition Luka Garza have outperformed expectations, but neither was considered a proven playoff-level starter.
Add Jaren Jackson Jr. — an All-Defense candidate with elite versatility, rim protection, switchability, and confident three-point shooting — and the 2024 championship formula returns in full force. Karl-Anthony Towns and other bigs who feasted on Boston’s interior last season would suddenly face a much tougher matchup. Gone is the exploitable drop coverage; in its place is a floor-spacing, two-way All-Star big who can guard 1 through 5.
The Celtics would go from “very good without Tatum” to “potentially unstoppable” once he returns.
The Mountain Just Got Much Higher for the Knicks
The Eastern Conference was already going to be brutal for New York:
The Detroit Pistons are young, talented, and improving fast.
The Cavaliers are still lurking despite inconsistency.
The Philadelphia 76ers have massive upside if they ever get healthy.
Boston was always going to be the biggest threat — and they’ve proven they’re a very difficult out even without Tatum. If they add Jaren Jackson Jr., the task becomes borderline impossible.
The Knicks desperately need those rumors to fizzle out. If Boston pulls off a move for JJJ, the Eastern Conference mountain may simply be too high to climb this season — and another year of playoff disappointment could await New York.
The clock is ticking. The East is wide open… but the Celtics are slamming the door shut faster than anyone expected.
Knicks fans, hold your breath — this trade deadline could decide the next half-decade in the Eastern Conference.