Boston acquired Walter McCarty and three other players from New York in October 1997, with the Knicks getting Chris Mills and two future second-round rights. McCarty became a longtime Celtics contributor. The inherited Even Trade grades both clubs B+.
Boston acquired Walter McCarty, Dontae' Jones, John Thomas and Scott Brooks from New York in October 1997. The Knicks took Chris Mills and future second-round selections. Boston was revising its roster and acquired several different personnel options at once. New York preferred one experienced wing and additional rights to use at future drafts. The teams were exchanging supporting personnel rather than the central stars of their franchises.
Of the Celtics' four incoming players, McCarty went on to establish the most recognizable extended role with the club. His outside shooting, positional flexibility and willingness to accept reserve responsibilities made him useful across multiple seasons. The other players had more limited Boston tenures and should not be valued as if all four became long-term starters. McCarty's sustained contribution gives Boston an especially tangible return from a complicated roster transaction.
New York obtained the veteran Chris Mills along with selections later connected to No. 38 DeMarco Johnson in 1998 and No. 39 Lavor Postell in 2000. The picks gave the Knicks two opportunities to add or exchange prospects while Mills could fill a forward role immediately. Subsequent player careers must be linked to the actual rights path, not automatically assigned to New York. The package concentrated present playing value into one veteran.
Boston's strongest outcome was a rotation player who stayed with the franchise; New York obtained an established wing and multiple draft options. The inherited Even Trade awards B+ to both clubs rather than declaring a decisive talent winner. That doesn't make the returns identical: McCarty's Boston years are easier to identify than the value realized from the Knicks' later selections. The move balanced different forms of roster flexibility.
Even Trade. Boston earns B+ for the package led by Walter McCarty, whose long Celtics tenure was especially useful. New York also receives B+ for Chris Mills and two future second-round selections. Boston found a lasting reserve, while the Knicks gained a veteran wing and draft opportunities.