New Celtics coach Ime Udoka considers Marcus Smart to be a “foundational piece” for the future, tweets Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. Udoka made the comments during a radio interview today, indicating that the team will rely heavily on Smart, who’s expected to take over as point guard following the trade of Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City.
“What Marcus brings is invaluable, it’s the heart and soul of the team at times,” Udoka said. “… He has that edge and toughness about him … He’s another foundational piece … What he does for Jaylen (Brown) and Jayson (Tatum) is invaluable, in my eyes” (Twitter link).
Smart will make $14.3MM next season on the final year of his contract. The Celtics may try to work out an extension to keep him from reaching free agency next summer.
There’s more from Boston:
- In his introductory press conference Monday, Udoka said he’s looking forward to helping the Celtics’ young stars improve, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Udoka revealed that he has met with Smart, Brown and Tatum, and they all expressed a desire to be pushed. “I’m not worried about our group worrying about hard coaching,” Udoka said. “They are asking for that, and it’s something I’m going to bring to the table.”
- President of basketball operations Brad Stevens started his coaching search with a long list of names, but conversations with his players pushed him toward Udoka, Forsberg writes in a full story. Boston’s three stars had experience with Udoka as part of Team USA in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and they all recommended him. “I’m quick to put my arm around guys but also quick to hold them accountable,” Udoka told reporters. “And so there’s a fine balance there. But that’s all based on relationships and respect and what I do demand from those guys.”
- Tatum was disappointed to be left off the All-NBA team and not just because of the money it cost him, relays Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston. Tatum discussed the decision, which could have added $32.6MM to his contract extension, in an appearance on the Kicks’ “Beyond the Press” podcast. “I wasn’t necessarily upset about losing the money,” he said. “I think I just felt like the way I was playing, everything I did, I thought it should have been a no-brainer. I think I was just more frustrated with that.”
Celtics will be as good as 76ers next 3 years
Both teams need quality starters with rookie contracts in order to manage the team salary
Trade
So good enough to reach the second round but not the ECF then?
Hawks starters have 4 rookie contracts this season
Young
Hunter
Huerter
Collins
Add together $20 million this season?
76ers
Embiid $228 million?
Harris $180 million
Simmons $177 million
I guess sixers future is on hold until the situation with Simmons is solved
Celtics franchise is turning into a dumpster fire
Great. Would you share your knowledge with us?
How they got a new coach and move on from a coach that couldn’t do much . Maybe he be better in the front office and they dump a high paid always injured pg for depth and a proven big man. I think they are doing fine
You realize Kemba didn’t really have an injury history before Boston. It was a good signing based on Dallas and the Knicks also Max’ing him out.
Rozier did have a good playoffs and should have wanted the starting role, but it was clear that his $, his stats, and his development was first in his eyes. Not the team and certainly not rhe Jays.
I’m ok with Smart starting but we need a solid backup/7th man. PP is too young and not good enough for that.
But he is better than Langsford who shoukd be traded or not have his option picked up.
IMO
I get what you’re saying, but FastPP is actually older than Tatum by a couple of months.
Boston is going nowhere with Marcus Smart as their starting point guard.
They probably aren’t going anywhere with someone else as starting point guard either dude.
Will be interested to see how Brad continues to play things this summer. The Horford deal suggests he’ll be more willing to pull the trigger than Danny.
Because *if* Dame ends up on the market the Celtics have one of the best offers on the table if they choose to dangle Jaylen. Other than maybe Ingram, if NO wanted to go that route, I’m not sure there’s another young All Star level talent that will be available. (Simmons and Wiseman I consider a notch (or 2) lower than Brown and Ingram at this point.)
Portland doesn’t strike me as the franchise that would want to – if forced to hit reset – rebuild purely with future picks. I think they’d want a quality young star to build around immediately.
J-Wise is waaay below JB & BI, but… I would say just now Simmons is waaay above them, right?
Have you not followed the Sixers’ decise? Simmons was so scared to miss yet another shot, he passed on a dunk.
Then it csme out he is lazy and only surrounds himself with family “Yes” men so he doesn’t hear a bad thing or the truth.
And the Truth is he is lazy and is a GUARD who can’t make free throws.
But yeah, he is better than JB…
But mission accomplished. You didn’t mean that, you just need attention.
The problem is Jaylen alone isn’t doing it, and Celtics don’t really have much else to part with that they don’t also need to win. Picks, maybe? But if I’m Portland why am I taking picks from a team that now has my best player?
Tatum: It wasn’t about the money
Money: It’s always about the money
Stevens was trending down. Now you think he should be running things. Celtics are heading in wrong direction. I’m tired of all these East front liners. Time to take down. They’re all soft anyway. Sixers, Bucks, Nets, Celtics, Heat all coming back to pack next yr. The East is about to get deep.
Who is “you?” You think he should be running things. No fans saw this coming and most importantly no one in any NBA organization comes here or any site, or talk show to see what fans think. They are not foolish.
But it’s hilarious a fan of Dolan’s Knicks is saying the Celtics are poorly run. Sure Wyk is kicking Pierce out of the Gahden because Wyk is a snowflake that can’t take any criticism.
How many Superstars, All Stars are straight up “good” players didn’t even take a meeting to play for the Knicks?
But keep on telling yourself Kawhi, Lowry, even DeRozan or Gay are fighting eachother to take less to be bounced again in the first round.
But congrats for finally making the playoffs again.
Obviously Celtics Brass
But no brass of any team comes here or any other sites to get amateur wish lists and opinions, lol.
Some posters think they do. I think the brasses are usually pretty bubbled up so to speak.
Sometimes I think writers might come here to look for story ideas as it seems like I get repeated.
One idea that probably everyone in the NE is sitting on so far is a possible clash between African-American players and an African HC!
Here’s a pathway that makes the PG situation realistic…bring Rondo back and Thomas. Not a financial calamity with an awesome potential. This allows Smart to be #1 PG with fantastic backup.
Rondo is on a 2 yr deal I believe so that would need a trade
I am curious what the Dragic market is. Or Aaron Holliday.