If you woke up Thursday morning stunned by Boston’s three-team trade for Christaps Porzingis, you’re not alone. So was Marcus Smart.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Smart thought he would be a Celtic for life.
Boston ended up completing the Porcingis deal late Wednesday, but it came at a higher price than initially reported. Instead of moving backup guard Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers, the Celtics shrewdly dealt with the Grizzlies.
Smart was named the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year and was the longest serving Celtics player. However, while he was seen as the heart and soul of the franchise, Boston would not have been lifeless without him.
In 21 games, Smart is knocked out in 2022-23, Boston It was 14-7 (667.)and 43-18 (. 705) with him.
The Celtics also managed to get two first-round draft picks from the Grizzles in the three-team deal, making him quite an impressive deal for Boston’s best defender.
Trade still caters to Boston’s greatest needs while leaving some questions open. What does the team plan to do with Brogdon? Who is the starting point guard? Who are the great Celtics players (Purcingis, Al Horford, Robert Williams) who will be on the court in times of crisis?
It all had nothing to do with Smart, whose biggest question was in Memphis How does he plan to get to the young grizzlies. On the plus side, Smart might enjoy playing an offense run that isn’t “random,” ie How to describe Boston.
Once the trading shock wears off, Smart could be exactly the kind of player Memphis needs.