The Celtics and Knicks have a long history, but of late, their rivalry has played out more on the cap sheet rather than MSG or TD Garden.
Last season, Boston lost Evan Fournier to New York in free agency. Then, after dealing Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City for Al Horford, Walker negotiated a buyout with the Thunder to join his hometown Knicks and Fournier, his former teammate with the Celtics.
Now, paths could cross again up and down I-90.
With the Knicks now emerging as the favorite destination for free agent point guard Jalen Brunson, New York is trying to open up cap space to sign him.