Marcus Smart is one of those guys who’s value isn’t as apparent if you aren’t watching him play on most nights.
His extreme hustle and effort to get loose balls, extend plays, make the extra pass and defend some of the NBA’s best perimeter players make him a valuable asset and a big part of the Celtics league-leading defense.
He is set to be a restricted free agent this summer though and with the Celtics having about $85 million already invested in Al Horford, Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving per season and impeding extensions for players liKe Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the future, there is not much money there to pay their back-up point guards’ eight figure salary.
Because of this, Smart is reportedly on the block for a 1st round pick.
Celtics seeking first-round pick for Marcus Smart, per @wojespn https://t.co/bZJYmJerZf pic.twitter.com/MGTQB3dkX5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 3, 2018
There will be a lot of interest for a players with Smart’s tenacity. He is a guy who can guard a 1 or 2 and still develop into a starting point guard elsewhere with his ability to see the floor and get to the rim.
The fact that Smart is reportedly available makes it clear he will not be back in Boston though, which means teams may balk at dealing a 1st round picks to get a guy they could have a chance to sign this summer anyway.
One team that comes to mind that would be a perfect fit for Smart and has plenty of picks at their disposal is the Phoenix Suns, but I doubt they surrender a pick to acquire him in the next few days.
