NBA Trade Verdict

Knicks Win

Boston acquired Knicks' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on veteran free agent Ray Williams from Knicks in exchange for 1985 second-round pick (#47 Gerald Wilkins); 1986 second-round pick (#47 Michael Jackson).

February 21, 1985 Boston Celtics / New York Knicks Record confidence: Private Record

Boston Celtics Received

  • Conditional Asset Knicks agreed to not exercise their right of first refusal on veteran free agent Ray Williams

New York Knicks Received

Trade Analysis

Boston Celtics Perspective

Boston obtained the contractual ability to sign Ray Williams, but New York received two second-rounders, including the pick used on Gerald Wilkins. Williams' brief Celtics tenure did not justify the asset cost.

New York Knicks Perspective

New York acquired 1985 second round pick (#47-Gerald Wilkins); 1986 second round pick (#47-Michael Jackson) and sent Knicks' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on veteran free agent Ray Williams. New York ultimately received the stronger realized value. The grade emphasizes realized player impact, pick outcomes, roster fit and asset cost rather than assuming the Knicks or the other team would have made identical downstream draft choices. For lower-profile historical deals, confidence is intentionally conservative because archival detail and transaction mechanics are thinner than for modern trades.