JULY 10, 8:11am: A source tells Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee that there’s “nothing to” the report of the Kings’ interest in Smart, suggesting that no offer sheet is imminent (Twitter links).
Over the last couple weeks, Sacramento has been linked to Smart, Rodney Hood, and Jabari Parker, all of whom remain available. There was also a report indicating that the team planned to focus on the trade market using its cap room, so it appears there’s no clear consensus on which direction the Kings will go with that remaining space. The club currently has about $19.5MM available.
JULY 9, 8:30pm: The Kings are preparing an offer sheet to Celtics restricted free agent guard Marcus Smart, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston tweets.
The Kings have been aggressive in free agency, giving Bulls guard Zach LaVine a four-year, $78MM offer sheet that Chicago opted to match. They are apparently intent on upgrading their off-guard position.
It’s unlikely Smart will get an offer anywhere near that amount but it’s also less likely that Boston will match a large multi-year deal. Smart has been frustrated with the lack of offers and by the Celtics’ unwillingness to reach out to him to negotiate a new contract.
Blakely reported on Saturday that Smart was likely to accept the Celtics’ $6.1MM qualifying offer and try his luck as an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Kings’ interest in Smart could change that dynamic.
Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe recently reported that teams are willing to give Smart about $9MM annually, but he is looking for much more.
Smart battled through injuries last season, appearing in 54 regular-season games while averaging 10.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 4.8 APG.
And was later matched by the Celtics
They need to. He’s huge for them.
I disagree. I love his game, but he’s replaceable
He would be their 4th guard this year, playing probably 15-18 minutes a game behind Irving, Brown, and Rozier. Oh, and he is one of the worst shooters in the NBA. Sure, you want him on your team, but not for anything more than 5-6 million
He will be the fourth guard on SAC too. Fox, Hield, Bogdanovich.
These five comments above are absolutely correct. He’s just one of those guys that the stats aren’t there and his shot is not there but you’ve got him on the floor in the fourth quarter. Don’t ask why it’s just the stuff he does that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. But you guys are right, 9 million tops.
I hate dive game if he gives that up I would be happy to give him 9+
The Kings are so desperate to sign a free agent that they might try to steal another team’s water boy soon.
My Lakers can send him Deng then! haha
What is that they don’t want to lose to many games cause they don’t have there first rounder
As a celtics fan, I would like to say
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Smart is an awesome role player on a contending team. He needs to work on his shot, but he can get 12-15 points off the bench, he can effectively defend any opposing teams best guard, and he provides your team with high energy and a spark.
Smart functions similar to Draymond Green, but as a guard. He’s an agitator, a defensive leader, but he isn’t a creator on offense, nor is the coach comfortable running their offense through Smart.
If he can improve his shot and his decision making, then Smart would definitely be worth the amount of money he’s seeking, but as of now, he’s only worth about 8-10 mil. a year, whether he agrees or not..
Players are worth as much as the kings are willing to pay for them
Welcome to the party Captain Obvious.
Draymond is an off ball defender who can guard 1-5 with the best of them at any position. Not really anything like smart.
9 million is very fair for his skillset. Players need to realize summer 2016 is not the norm for nba free agents.
If Smart is being offered over $9 milion a year, he is get VERY bad advice to turn that down. If he goes unrestricted next year, he might get more, but he also might get a minimum salary deal like Nerlens Noel too.
Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Why would you sign with Sacramento unless you know the Celtics are going to match. Players go there to die!!!!! If he’s has balls sign the qualifying offer become unrestricted next year and get bank and pick where you want to go
Like IT?
Come to think of it. Maybe they should just resign IT and grab Smart. They’d be Boston West. Mwahahahahaha
We don’t want IT that’s why didn’t sign when he played for us
They didn’t want IT on a max deal. The MLE is a different story, and it looks like that’s what he’s going to settle for. I still don’t think it’s likely, but it’s possible.
I still think Phoenix should buyout or stretch Dudley and Troy Daniels, and cut most of the rest of their non guaranteed contracts, and sign Smart to an offer sheet with a trade kicker
Everyone says guys X,Y, and Z are big for Boston, but we’ve done well over the years with a revolving door of guys. Avery Bradley was once considered our Glue-Guy(Lebatard reference), he’s gone on to be mediocre at best. Stevens’ system is proving to be the magic formula, not necessarily these roll players.
As much as I hate to admit you’re correct.
Shooting limitations means he is not worth the $ he will get this/next year. Ainge won’t match. Good role player, but he views himself as starter. Idiots like the Kings offer crazy contracts because no one wants to live there.
What is the most number of offer sheets given by a team in a summer that all got matched?
Brooklyn offered to Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson one year, with both getting matched, then Donatas Motiejunas later that year. Plus Otto Porter the year after
First Brad Stevens gets Evan Turner overpaid by Portland, now Smart. Those guys owe Brad big time!
Kings should offer him 4/$78
Step away from the crack pipe son.
It’s a Kings joke
Not so sure Smart is the type of player that Sacramento needs, or good enough. But I hope he goes there, they obviously appreciate him more than they do in Boston. Anyway much rather live in Sacramento than Boston.
Nope the poor guy can survive on $9,000,000 a year. What a JOKE
Looking all the haters. Kings fans like when y’all scouts be hating. Or should I say wannabe scouts lol.