The Celtics would be willing to trade guard Marcus Smart for a first-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. On his latest podcast, Wojnarowski says Boston wouldn’t mind moving Smart as long as it doesn’t have to take on much future salary in return.
Smart will be a restricted free agent this summer after he and the Celtics failed to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension. Woj speculates that the financial uncertainty, coupled with Smart’s difficulties from 3-point range, where he is shooting 30% this season, may make him expendable.
Boston has financial concerns for next season with more than $104MM in committed salaries against a projected $101MM cap. That’s without considering Smart, who will be seeking a substantial raise from this year’s salary of about $4.5MM and could push the team toward luxury tax territory.
Appearing on the same broadcast, ESPN’s Bobby Marks warns that other organizations may be wary of giving up a first-rounder for Smart without knowing how much it will take to re-sign him. Such a move would put someone in the difficult position of having to commit financially to keep Smart or losing a first-round pick for about two months of having him on the roster.
Marks speculates that Smart could have commanded an annual salary of $13MM to $14MM in the summer of 2016, but under current conditions his offers are more likely to be in the $8MM to $10MM range.
Before a recent hand laceration, Smart was averaging 10.1 points and 4.7 assists through 46 games, mostly in a reserve role. He is expected to return sometime in mid-February.
Seems to me that trading smart would be a better long term move than short term move. Unless they used him in a three team deal
Not only that but if Terry Rozier keeps balling out like this, it is going to get very hard to play Smart over him. I wouldn’t sell Smart for cheap because despite his shooting he is very valuable. However, in the right deal, I could perhaps see it.
Who’s giving a 1st for one of the worst shooters in the league? Good grief.
Oh and a guy who is so out of control managing his emotions, he injured him self and hurts his team?
And he’s Restricted?
A first round pick is a f^^^^^ing dream.
Restricted free agent would be a reason a team would like to acquire him, FYI
Tell me how that works.
If they offer him a QO (it’s pretty cheap he will definitely be offered one) the team has the right to match any offer he signs with another team. Teams are wary of signing RFA’s now because it ties up their cap space for 2-3 days, which puts them out of the running for a lot of guys if he signs one at the beginning. And if he waits it out, there are fewer teams with cap space and fewer teams interested in him. This happened to guys last year such as Noel, Mirotic, and Alex Len. Noel signed his QO which was only 4 million. So knowing that you would have the possibility to keep Smart even if he was offered a contract by someone else would be a reason you could be comfortable moving first, since he isn’t necessarily just a rental.
Fing bad dreams are called nightmares, first round pick? My grandma wants to fly jets , doesn’t mean it’s happening
Same team giving up a 1st for Lou Williams or Tyreke Evans….just give it until noon Thursday then you’ll see these guys dealt for 2nd rounders
I’d rather have Smart locked up at 4/32 or 4/36 than a 2nd. I think they either resign him to a single digit AAV or they just hit him with a QO and keep him for 1 more year. I think Ainge is content to present an offer, say take it or leave it, we’ll play you on the QO. Not like they’re in a bind since he’s restricted, there’s no huge reason to move him now unless they can get good value (such as a first). I think Tyreke Evans fetches a PJ Tucker type return (was that 2 or 3 second rounders?) but I see Lou Williams going for a first or resigning with LAC.
Sounds perfect for the Knicks.
Every Knicks fan on anyone with a pulse ..
He’s made a lot of progress with his shot. But, teams could want him for his lockdown Defense. Pistons and Thunder are the only 2 teams that make much sense to me. It would have to be a late 1st for someone to do it.
Smart for Patterson and a 2nd? Salaries are close but I haven’t checked on that. Patterson was part or all of the MLE.
Of course. But nobody is giving up a 1st round pick for him, unless a very low one as rental. He’s a bad contract waiting to happen this summer.
Unless you have watched as many Celtics games as you have your own team you can’t really appreciate what Smart brings to the table. Pesky defense, takes charges nightly. What he does doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. We’ve all heard it before but I think Smart embodies the phrase perfectly. That being said, if you are a C’s fan and happen to watch often you also know he will drive u flippin bonkers with his shot selection and timing!
He’s a graduate of the Lance Stephenson School of Floppery. Graduated with Honors.
Yes, great defender, creates plays for everyone else … tough inside against bigs. A scrapper, unlike most of the “scorers” in the league, who couldn’t guard their coach.
He’s a nice player. But Boston could have extended him in advance prior to the season (it would not have affected this past year’s cap space or any other deals). They didn’t want him or couldn’t reach a deal with him. This is true of all guys that are pending RFAs off their rookie deals. Silly for a team to give up a 1st round pick for what is (in effect) the option of matching an overpay offer sheet. If you want him enough to overpay, then it’s smarter to be the team that puts together the overpay offer sheet (while keeping the 1st rounder). Yeah, Boston might match, but so what?