Report: Smart likely to be traded

[Ed Monix]

Celtics’ Marcus Smart ‘more likely’ to be traded before start of season; Brad Stevens has grown ‘frustrated’ with his play (report)

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Celtics president Brad Stevens has been “frustrated by Smart’s unpredictable play in recent years.” With Smart entering the final year of his contract, Mannix reports “it’s more likely Stevens will look to trade Smart before the start of the season.”

Mannix reported that the Celtics have shopped Smart in the past, though the price tag of multiple first-round picks was pretty high. That was under a different regime with Danny Ainge in charge, though. If Stevens is seriously looking to move Smart, the suitors should be there with a decent package coming the Celtics’ way.

Mannix reported Spencer Dinwiddie is a potential point guard option for the Celtics, but he’s looking like he’s going to be even more expensive than Fournier and other free-agency options.

Regardless of rumors, it’s shaping up to be a busy offseason for the Celtics, just as co-owner Wyc Grousbeck warned. Stevens is in charge now and he’s looking to get Boston back in title contention.

By Souichi Terada | sterada@masslive.com

[Celtics2021]

Celtics’ Marcus Smart ‘more likely’ to be traded before start of season; Brad Stevens has grown ‘frustrated’ with his play (report)

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Celtics president Brad Stevens has been “frustrated by Smart’s unpredictable play in recent years.” With Smart entering the final year of his contract, Mannix reports “it’s more likely Stevens will look to trade Smart before the start of the season.”

Mannix reported that the Celtics have shopped Smart in the past, though the price tag of multiple first-round picks was pretty high. That was under a different regime with Danny Ainge in charge, though. If Stevens is seriously looking to move Smart, the suitors should be there with a decent package coming the Celtics’ way.

Mannix reported Spencer Dinwiddie is a potential point guard option for the Celtics, but he’s looking like he’s going to be even more expensive than Fournier and other free-agency options.

Regardless of rumors, it’s shaping up to be a busy offseason for the Celtics, just as co-owner Wyc Grousbeck warned. Stevens is in charge now and he’s looking to get Boston back in title contention.

By Souichi Terada | sterada@masslive.com

This is becoming a game of telephone.  Mannix did not say that Smart is likely to be traded.  He said that Smart is "more likely" to be traded with Stevens in charge rather than Ainge.  In that article, it was mentioned that Ainge valued Smart like an All-Star, whereas Stevens would like a starter and a pick in return.  So we've moved from "highly unlikely" to some where around "maybe" or "possibly", but not "likely" as this post suggests.  I think you should change the title.

[PAOBoston]

We can only hope this is the case! Time for some fresh blood at PG!

[BudweiserCeltic]

So one day we have Celtics players mad at Stevens because he relied on Smart a lot and gave him "special" treatment, and in the other hand Stevens is frustrated with Smart.

OK...

[Birdman]

Yesssssss!!!!!

[colincb]

The quote from Mannix is causing Smart to trend on Twitter. The following is from Celticswire. Given that he's an expiring contract I want him extended or traded myself. There is an opportunity for a three-way with CHI and NOL also if the Cs want to move on in addition to a straight trade with NOL.

According to Chris Mannix at Sports Illustrated, Brad Stevens frustration over Marcus Smart's "unpredictable play" makes the chances Boston trades him this summer higher than they re-sign him.

"    Boston’s acquisition of Josh Richardson could spell the end of Marcus Smart’s run in Boston. Smart has become a fan favorite over seven years in Boston, but Brad Stevens has been frustrated by Smart’s unpredictable play in recent years, per sources. Smart, one of the NBA’s better perimeter defenders, is entering the final year of his contract. Boston could extend Smart, but two people familiar with Stevens thinking tell SI it’s more likely Stevens will look to trade Smart before the start of the season. Boston shopped Smart last season, seeking multiple first round picks, a team executive with knowledge of the discussions told SI. Smart’s value now? “Probably a first round pick and a rotational player,” a high ranking Eastern Conference executive told SI. “Might be able to swap him for similar player that fits a positional need. [Danny Ainge] valued him like an All-Star though—he is not.”

I believe this rumor of the Celtics growing frustrated with Smart has been out there before. Sounds like Stevens' asking price in a trade is much less than what Ainge was demanding. I think that's going to be a recurring theme. Not sure Ainge would have given up pick #16 so easily. In regards to Smart, even if Ainge was still around, his asking price would have to be quite lower than it was a year ago.

Last year Smart was a key contributor on a team that almost made the NBA Finals. Now he's a year older, his defense slipped some this past season, he's one year closer to free agency, and Boston's poor showing this past season makes him less appealing in other teams' eyes. This is why as much as I love Smart, I've never tried to pander to fans with a "You can't trade Smart" schtick. He was only going to be re-signed if the team already had a title contender.

Once all the All-Star free agents walked for nothing and the draft capital expired, the writing has been on the wall. We've never heard one rumor of the Celtics discussing a new contract with Smart. We never heard one rumor about Isaiah Thomas either. And I'm pretty sure we didn't hear one for Rajon Rondo either. Both those guards were also fan favorites. Both were traded.

So if the Celtics are going to trade Smart, wouldn't you at least want them to get a good return? Looks like the time to move Marcus was prior to the 2020 draft. Smart fans are going to be underwhelmed by the return Stevens gets this summer, and even moreso if he waits to the deadline. Could be something like an expiring contract and a protected 1st rounder. Sure the Celtics will aim higher, but I have the feeling that Stevens unlike Ainge doesn't want to play that let assets walk for nothing game.

While the writing is on the wall to prepare for a Smart trade, there's also the chance nothing goes down this summer. But if you're a Smart stan that won't mean you can breath easily. Just means that the offers were awful and that the Celtics will wait to the trade deadline in February hoping something better pops up.

[colincb]

WEEI picking up the thread:

While the Celtics aren't expected to be major players in free agency, Brad Stevens may not be done shaking up the roster yet.

So far, Stevens' first offseason as president of basketball operations has seen him trade away Kemba Walker and Tristan Thompson while bringing in Al Horford, Josh Richardson, Kris Dunn and Bruno Fernando.

Could his next big move be trading away Marcus Smart? It certainly sounds like that's a possibility based on the latest report from Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, who cites sources in writing that Stevens "has been frustrated by Smart’s unpredictable play in recent years" and that it's "more likely Stevens will look to trade Smart before the start of the season" rather than extend him.

Smart is entering the final year of a four-year deal and is due $13.8 million. The 27-year-old guard is the Celtics' longest-tenured player, having joined the team in 2014. His defense and hustle plays have twice landed him on the NBA's All-Defensive First Team and made him a fan favorite, but he has also come under criticism for his shot selection and for letting his emotions get the better of him at times.

Mannix reports that the Celtics shopped Smart last season, but that Danny Ainge "valued him like an All-Star" and was seeking multiple first-round picks in return. Mannix cites an Eastern Conference executive who says Smart could land the Celtics a first-round pick and a rotational player now.

Unsurprisingly, Mannix adds that Boston "isn't too comfortable" entering the season with Smart and Payton Pritchard as their top two point guard options. The C's have been linked to longtime Spurs guard Patty Mills quite a bit, and Mannix mentions him as a free-agent option as well.

Mannix also reports that the Celtics are interested in Spencer Dinwiddie, who has spent the last five seasons with the Nets, but that he could be out of their price range as he seeks a contract in the five-year, $125 million range. Celtics coach Ime Udoka has worked with both Mills and Dinwiddie as an assistant coach.

[colincb]

Mods Please add these to the other Smart thread

[LilRip]

I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t think the team will trade Smart. He’s an expiring contract too. So technically, what he has going for him:
1) he’s a fan favorite
2) his contract expires when the C’s want to make a splash at FA
3) he’s on a reasonable contract
4) he plays tough defense which I’m sure udoka values

[colincb]

Marcus Smart trending on Twitter...

[Atzar]

So one day we have Celtics players mad at Stevens because he relied on Smart a lot and gave him "special" treatment, and in the other hand Stevens is frustrated with Smart.

OK...

Yeah, I thought this was funny too. 



Anyway, Mannix isn't really a guy worth listening to, as far as trade/signing scoops go.  Not a very good track record.  I wouldn't pay any attention to this.

[Kuberski33]

So one day we have Celtics players mad at Stevens because he relied on Smart a lot and gave him "special" treatment, and in the other hand Stevens is frustrated with Smart.

OK...

Yeah, I thought this was funny too. 



Anyway, Mannix isn't really a guy worth listening to, as far as trade/signing scoops go.  Not a very good track record.  I wouldn't pay any attention to this.

I do think he's just speculating.  But Smart is starting to decline and his shot selection still sucks.

[tonydelk]

So one day we have Celtics players mad at Stevens because he relied on Smart a lot and gave him "special" treatment, and in the other hand Stevens is frustrated with Smart.

OK...

Yeah, I thought this was funny too. 



Anyway, Mannix isn't really a guy worth listening to, as far as trade/signing scoops go.  Not a very good track record.  I wouldn't pay any attention to this.

I do think he's just speculating.  But Smart is starting to decline and his shot selection still sucks.

All I know is I've felt this way about Smart for a while.  Last year there were a lot more comments about this because in prior years Marcus would make plays throughout the game that just made you go wow.  No one else can do that.  Last year we saw less of those games and more of the stuff that frustrated us so it was talked about a lot more.  Seeing marcus take a possession away from Brown and Tatum had me yelling at the TV.  I hate when Marcus shoots more then 8 times a game.  If he's wide open great.  If he's on the post great.  When he starts throwing up heat checks, contested shots etc I can't stand to watch him play on the offensive end. 

[ETNCeltics]

So one day we have Celtics players mad at Stevens because he relied on Smart a lot and gave him "special" treatment, and in the other hand Stevens is frustrated with Smart.

OK...

I don't think anyone can make the case Brad was deft at juggling egos in the locker room.

[footey]

So one day we have Celtics players mad at Stevens because he relied on Smart a lot and gave him "special" treatment, and in the other hand Stevens is frustrated with Smart.

OK...

Yeah, I thought this was funny too. 



Anyway, Mannix isn't really a guy worth listening to, as far as trade/signing scoops go.  Not a very good track record.  I wouldn't pay any attention to this.

I do think he's just speculating.  But Smart is starting to decline and his shot selection still sucks.

All I know is I've felt this way about Smart for a while.  Last year there were a lot more comments about this because in prior years Marcus would make plays throughout the game that just made you go wow.  No one else can do that.  Last year we saw less of those games and more of the stuff that frustrated us so it was talked about a lot more.  Seeing marcus take a possession away from Brown and Tatum had me yelling at the TV.  I hate when Marcus shoots more then 8 times a game.  If he's wide open great.  If he's on the post great.  When he starts throwing up heat checks, contested shots etc I can't stand to watch him play on the offensive end.

We'll always have jump ball play in New Orleans.....