Mark Murphy tweet:
Agent Happy Walters confirms that Smart fails to reach deal on extension with Celtics. "It will cost them a lot more next year."
TP for the tweet.
That sounds like a very bitter statement from Smart's camp. I agree with others that I would love to keep Smart around for many years on a team friendly deal, but that doesn't appear to be the goal for all parties.
I also agree with others that the trade deadline could mean the end to Smart's Celtics' career. I am certainly not hoping for this, but AB and IT were moved because they were going to cost too much next year...and they were starters.
If we do hold on to him, (likely if you look at our last couple of 1st round picks coming off of their rookie deals), it really is going to come down to the market for Smart and if he would rather play for a winning organization or a perennial loser. For his sake, I hope he doesn't go on his agent's advice and go the Noel route.