The Grizzlies needed a guard with Ja Morant suspended. They also need a leader.
After a tumultuous season in Memphis that culminated in a first round exit, the Grizzlies rocked their backcourt. They transferred backup point guard Tyus Jones and two first-round picks to acquire former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics.
Boston acquired Kristaps Porzingis in the trade, along with the 25th pick in Thursday’s draft and the Golden State Warriors first pick in 2024. Memphis also sent Jones to Washington, It said To help him get a full time job.
Smart played for the Celtics for the entire nine years of his career, making the playoffs every season and reaching the Conference Finals five times. He was a three-time All-Defensive member for the first time, and was a veteran captain for a Celtics team that included young stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
This may be just what the young Grizzlies need after a scandal-filled year for superstar Ja Morant has seen him hanging For eight games during the season and the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season for “the use of firearms on social media.”
But it wasn’t just the guns on Instagram Live. Memphis held a players-only meeting in March where center Stephen Adams complained that players—specifically Morant—were going out and partying too much on the road, as the team was between 16-25, compared to 35-6 at home.
The Grizzlies as a whole seem to lack discipline, be it Morant’s countless off-field mishaps, Dillon Brooks’ 18 technical fouls, three suspensions, and the team’s endless battles with the opposition. differenceAnd players And Skip Bayless enemies.
Now, the Grizzlies have gained a defensive ace, strong passing, and perhaps most importantly, an adult on the side of Adams. It’s a necessary step for the fiercely talented Grizzlies if they are to take the next step as a team.
Plus, Smart’s entire game evokes the tough, defense-minded “Grit n’ Grind” era of Memphis game teams ten years ago. He could play a point with Morant to start the season and slip into shooting guard when he returns. Smart can take on some of the brunt of Morant’s handling of the ball, but he’s also had years of completing dominant goalscorers on the ball, from Isaiah Thomas to Kyrie Irving to Tatum.
But most of all, Smart brings seriousness and maturity to the Grizzlies and is booked for a very reasonable $60 million for the next three years. While it cost Memphis two picks, that team added five starters prior to last season. Besides Smart, they only have one player over the age of 27 – Adams. (Luke Kennard turns 27 on Saturday.)
Memphis didn’t need more starters. They needed a veteran. Resetting the culture. They hope Smart can give them both.