The Boston Celtics have put together a stellar campaign, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with the All-Star break on the horizon. Though guard Kyrie Irving has spearheaded Boston’s attack, they wouldn’t be where they are without the play of their quality bench.
One of the key contributors off the pine for Boston this season and in the past has been guard Marcus Smart. Smart’s coveted ability to come off the bench and provide playmaking and stout defense has been a key factor in Boston’s recent success but his time there could be coming to an end.
In the most recent episode of Adrian Wojnarowski’s Woj Pod, Wojnarowski stated that the Celtics would be open to dealing the scrappy guard for the right compensation, namely a first-round pick (h/t USAToday):
“You talk about Marcus Smart, he’s a player that’s available for a first round pick. If a team was willing to give Boston a first, Boston would look at. If they didn’t have to take back a lot of money going out in the future. He’s restricted this summer, you don’t know what it will cost to keep him.”
“He’s proven he can help you win a playoff game or two. He doesn’t shoot great from 3-point line, some of the things you want from a guard in this day and age. He defends, he’s super competitive. But they can’t pay everybody in Boston and they’re going to have to make decisions. But does a team want to give up a first for a player when they don’t know what it will cost to keep him. I’m not sure that will happen. But I think certainly if they were going to make a move with one of their core guys, there’s potential that it’s going to be Smart.”
As stated, Smart’s impending restricted free agency could be a problem for both the Celtics and expected suitors. His play in recent years will make him more than worthy of a starting-caliber contract so the Oklahoma State product certainly won’t come cheap.
With Eastern Conference supremacy close to finally being in their hands after years of domination by LeBron James, the Celtics could look to make a move with the trade deadline approaching. With his free agency looming and the emergence of stud point guard Terry Rozier, it seems that Smart will likely be the one dealt if the C’s decide to pull the trigger on a trade.
Smart has averaged a solid 10.2 points per game in over 30 minutes per contest but remains sidelined due to a lacerated hand injury.
