Weighing the pros and cons of trading Marcus Smart

Creator: Steven Ryan | Credit: Getty Images | Copyright: 2021 Steven Ryan

Marcus Smart has been an integral part of the Boston Celtics for his entire career. Though it may be cliche to call him the heart and soul of the team, he truly embodies that label. His energy and hustle are what made fans everywhere fall in love with him.

However, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding potential trades that would see Smart shipped elsewhere. While the deal might anger some fans, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before dismissing the idea.

Trading Marcus Smart

If Smart were to get dealt, the C’s would need to find a new answer at point guard. Payton Pritchard played well in his rookie season, but he’s not ready to take over the starting job quite yet. There are some options to explore in this regard, but they would need to be fleshed out before Smart gets traded if that’s the route Boston decides to go.

One name that has come up in recent days is Dejounte Murray. The San Antonio Spurs are supposedly open to trading him this offseason, leading Boston Celtics fans everywhere to start scheming. The point guard even added a clover and a green heart to his Twitter bio, leading to an eruption from Celtics Twitter.

Other potential trade targets to take over the starting point guard spot include Malcolm Brogdon and Collin Sexton. In addition, there would be plenty of options in free agency that could start at the one. None are stars like Brogdon and Sexton, but they would all be able to do the job well. Names such as TJ McConnell and Patty Mills stick out among others.

If the Boston Celtics were able to land one of these players, it would make Smart more disposable. Regardless of whether or not one finds the idea of trading him appealing, securing a starting point guard this offseason would just make him less crucial to the makeup of the team. On top of that, he could have some serious trade value.

Smart would likely have to be included in a deal for either Brogdon or Sexton. However, both provide more upside than he does at the position. Brogdon is arguably a better playmaker, and very clearly a better shooter. Meanwhile, Sexton has the potential to grow into an All-Star caliber player since he is only 22 years old.

Another possible route could be to trade into the first round of the NBA Draft. There are a couple of potential deals to be made that would net the Boston Celtics a lottery pick.. The New Orleans Pelicans are rumored to be shopping the 10th overall pick in favor of proven talent. Smart could take over for Lonzo Ball at point guard, who is likely to leave in free agency. The Warriors also have two lottery picks at seven and 14. Adding Smart would give them a defensive-minded guard to pair next to Steph Curry in their quest to win another championship.

If the C’s were to trade into the lottery, they would have the opportunity to pick one of many great prospects. This year’s draft is supposed to be one of the best in recent history. Players such as Josh Giddey, Franz Wagner, and Davion Mitchell could all be available.

Trading Smart would also help the Boston Celtics open up some financial wiggle room in the future. Smart is in the last year of his deal and will be due for a contract extension at the end of next year. Depending on what teams pursue him, he could get anywhere from $15-$20 million on the open market. If they re-sign Evan Fournier this offseason, signing Smart to an extension for that amount would restrict their cap flexibility for the foreseeable future.

Keeping Marcus Smart

The argument for keeping Smart is a much simpler, easier argument to make. Ime Udoka recently stated that he views Smart as a “foundational piece” on the team and it’s not hard to see why. What he brings to the team is hard to find in today’s NBA.

He is constantly doing the dirty work in every game. Whether that is diving on the ground for loose balls or picking up a tech to give the team a spark, Smart can be counted on to do so. He’s a vocal leader in the locker room that has helped the Boston Celtics overachieve for years. Just because they had a down year last season doesn’t mean it’s time to blow things up.

While $15-$20 million may seem like a lot to pay Smart, it’s a true representation of his value. On top of that, there’s no guarantee that the C’s are able to draw in any big-name free agents, and if they traded Smart in an attempt to do so and failed, they would have given him up for no reason. That’s a big risk to take with someone who plays such a big role in Boston.

In addition, there’s always the chance that Smart would be willing to take a discount to stay with the Celtics. If they could cut his price down to around $12-$15 million, it would be a steal of a contract. This would also allow for a little bit more cap flexibility moving forward.

Summary

There are plenty of reasons for and against trading Marcus Smart. His value to the Boston Celtics could be too good to give up, but would also be able to get a pretty penny in return on the trade market. It’s a delicate situation, to say the least.

It’s never fun to look at basketball from the standpoint of dollars and cents, but it’s also a necessary evil. How much Smart asks for in terms of an extension could have a huge impact on whether or not the Celtics bring him back. It’s the harsh reality of the situation.

Regardless of what happens, some Boston Celtics fans are bound to be unhappy. He’s a fan favorite in the city, but there are still some that want to see him gone. Whether Marcus Smart gets traded or not, his impact on the Boston Celtics organization has been undeniable.