The Nuggets are among the teams that have explored possible Marcus Smart trade scenarios with the Celtics, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (via Twitter). A recent report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested that Boston is willing to move Smart in exchange for a first-round pick.
According to Stein, former lottery pick Emmanuel Mudiay has been made available by the Nuggets in their talks with the Celtics, but it doesn’t appear Denver has been open to including a future first-rounder in an offer for Smart.
Stein isn’t the first reporter to link Mudiay to the Celtics. Over the weekend, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald said he has heard from a league source that the Celtics and Nuggets have discussed a hypothetical deal of Smart for Mudiay and a draft pick. However, Bulpett added that another league source had denied that account.
If the Nuggets are willing to attach a draft pick to Mudiay in an offer for Smart, it will almost certainly be a second-rounder. While Smart is respected around the NBA for his excellent perimeter defense, his offensive game is extremely limited, and he’s in a contract year, meaning he’ll get more expensive in restricted free agency this summer.
Wojnarowski, who initially reported Smart’s potential availability, appeared today on Zach Lowe’s Lowe Post podcast and expressed skepticism that the Celtics will land a first-rounder for Smart, unless they’re willing to take on long-term salary in return. Woj believes it’s probably more likely that the 23-year-old stays put in Boston through the deadline.
If Ainge can get a first I’d do it in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t pay Smart 15 million a year to be the 6th man that’s too much for s bench player imo. I’d flip the first we get for him (if we do get one) for Lou or Tyreke.
Smart is probably looking to be a starter, Scott Perry is trying to build a team predicated on defense and hustle. Just fork up the pick Scott, the Knicks pick might go anywhere between 9-15 not worth keeping. I do not see a difference maker beyond pick 8, Smart would be ideal on the Knicks.
But you have to consider the fact that the Knicks are still a couple of years, at a minimum, away from contending and Smart’s pending free agency. Give up a lottery pick for a guy who is probably going to get a contract worth around $10m per year but only really contributes in the hustle and defensive areas? Not worth it. Especially since Smart would be the 6th man (Hardaway Jr and Ntilikina would likely be ahead of him). The Knicks are much better off holding onto their lottery pick, and hoping for some luck there. If the Knicks were a Marcus Smart away from being a decent contender, I’d say pull the trigger, but the Knicks are still so far off that Smart will barely push the needle for them.
The Knicks are a long, long way from contending. And the fans would (rightly) burn down the Garden if the team coughs up a lottery pick for an historically incompetent, incapable shooter.
Smart is a gimmickicky one-dimensional player who needs to be surrounded by an offensive juggernaut the way Roberson is in OKC. And even then you’d see him no more than 24 mins/game and even less in the playoffs because he’s an offensive black hole.
I’m guessing the party who put out this “Celtics are willing to accept a first rounder” note is either Smart’s mom or Smart’s agent.
Ain’t happening.
There not getting a 1st, certainly not from Denver. Mudiay buys them another year (he’s got better PG skills and at least has the potential to be as good a defender). Still, Boston should be looking to win this year. Right now, Smart is better.
If you can improve the team’s future without hurting it this year, you have to make the move. Regardless of whether it is a prototypical buyer or seller move. Smart is not really a key player on the Cs this year. Mudiay and a 2nd would be a good return for him. And then can always package a couple of draft picks together and get someone even better than Smart from elsewhere.
Hey, still wallowing in my misery of getting whooped while our QB throws for 500 yards and cant quite wrap my mind around important stuff, like the Celtics upcoming/new future cap situation? Was wondering if you, or any of the scintillating commentators below could whip up a short piece about cap-ology, the C’s current roster and what their near future looks like from the financial perspective. Personally, I think a player like Smart is a good complimentary piece for a team with Banner Raising aspirations but not at a salary that could hurt them elsewhere down the road… Thanks. Gotta run off to make sure Patricia gets on that plane to Detroit and takes that Big Dime package with him ….
I don’t see why the Celtics would want Mudiay without a 1st rounder attached.
Smart turned down an extension earlier and he is gonna regret it. He isn’t worth more than 8m a yr if you want to be a contender. I think they would rather keep rozier anyway and Shane Larkin is a nice spark off the bench, and they both are better offensively. Plus Hayward is gonna come back so that means smart or rozier will play less and I think most would choose rozier even though smart has a knack for making big plays and his hustle and toughness is big in close games.
Smart for Mudiay with a swap of first rounders this year? Boston moves up a few spots.
pretty good offer