Though the Boston Celtics season came to a close earlier than they would’ve wanted, it’s hard not to be impressed by all they accomplished this season with key players sidelined for a majority of their playoff run.
However, the Celtics will have to move on fast as they have some important decisions to address this summer. One of their most pressing matters will be the upcoming restricted free agency of gritty combo guard Marcus Smart. Though Smart isn’t a starter for Boston, the impact he has on a game is extremely valuable and it shows on a night to night basis. Smart knows his worth also, as he expressed his belief that he’s worth more than $12-14 million on the market. Following from ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan:
Smart, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, was told that Boston might not be able — or willing — to afford the $12-14 million a year price tag that he reportedly has been seeking.
“To be honest, I’m worth more than 12-14 million,” Smart told ESPN. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”
Still playing on his rookie contract, this will be the first offseason Marcus Smart will have the ability to explore options outside of Boston, though he is a restricted free agent.
It would behoove the Celtics to match any offer that comes Smart’s way but with a plethora of other budding stars in line for big paydays a few years down the road, Dany Ainge and company will need to tread carefully.
On the market, there will be no shortage of teams interested in Smart’s services but his self-created price tag of $12-14 million may be hard to obtain. It depends on the role a potential suitor envisions him playing but either way, wherever Smart goes next year will be getting a valuable asset for years to come.
