The Sacramento Kings are preparing to make Boston Celtics restricted free agent Marcus Smart an offer, according to NBC Sports Boston’s A. Sherrod Blakely:
Source: After striking out on Zach Levine, the Sacramento Kings are preparing to put together an offer #Celtics Marcus Smart.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) July 10, 2018
Smart is restricted, meaning the Celtics will have the option to match any offer made for Smart. Between Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford, however, the Celtics’ payroll is pretty tied up – and the team knows Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will be in line for huge paydays down the road. So, depending on the size of the offer, the Celtics may be willing to part ways with Smart.
On Friday, the Boston Herald reported that Smart is feeling “hurt and disgusted” toward the Celtics due to the team’s lack of communication about a contract extension.
On Sunday, however, Blakely reported that Smart is likely to accept his qualifying offer, worth a hair over $6 million.
Smart, 24, appeared in 54 regular-season games and 15 postseason games for the Celtics last season. In the regular season, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.9 minutes per game while shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 30.1 percent from 3-point range. Smart was a big part of Boston’s playoff push in 2018 and averaged 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 29.9 minutes per game in the postseason.
While Smart’s shooting percentages continue to be dismal, he is one of the absolute best defenders in basketball, able to capably defend 1 through 4.
