Marcus Smart contract

[tenn_smoothie]

Down here in Rocky Top, I don't get the day-to-day details on Celtics.  Please explain to me why we did not extend Smart's contract. According to Marcus, he was not asking for anything unreasonable. I hope Danny does not get carried away being too cold and calculating.

Marcus Smart is exactly the type of player you win titles with - yes, he needs to improve shot selection, but that is on Stevens. Smart's intangibles and amazing ability to deliver big plays in crunch time cannot be replaced. I also am very much enjoying the Celtics return to being the bully on the block. We lost that when we stupidly traded Perk. Marcus Smart is the guard's version of Kendrick Perkins with a little extra talent as well.

What was the real sticking point with the extension ??

[Valid]

The fact of the matter is that no one really knows what Smart was asking for. What Smart may consider reasonable may be overkill to Danny. I love Smart. The kid is my favorite player on the team, but it's entirely possible he was asking the Celtics' front office to bite off more than they planned on chewing.

We'll see. Hopefully he stays in green for the long haul.

[nickagneta]

Ainge was best served letting Smart hit RFA this year and allowing the market to set his price, especially after a contract year. If Smart is still a horrid shooter at season's end, Boston pribably wins the negotiating game. If not, they still have Rozier to fall back on, especially if he shows offensive imprivement this year. Simply put, it was in the Cs best interest not to extend him tow and let things work out for themselves.

[droopdog7]

Unless Marcus comes at a complete bargain, I’m not resigning him at all.

[DooVoo]

Unless Marcus comes at a complete bargain, I’m not resigning him at all.

He is not going to come at a bargain. Other teams GMs recognize his unique skill set and will pay him. He helps you win games.

[ETNCeltics]

His skillset doesn't include the most important skill.

Some bad team with cap room will overpay him.

[DooVoo]

His skillset doesn't include the most important skill.

Some bad team with cap room will overpay him.

Doing things that help your team win games is the most important skill set. He is going to get paid.

[Surferdad]

Ainge was best served letting Smart hit RFA this year and allowing the market to set his price, especially after a contract year. If Smart is still a horrid shooter at season's end, Boston pribably wins the negotiating game. If not, they still have Rozier to fall back on, especially if he shows offensive imprivement this year. Simply put, it was in the Cs best interest not to extend him tow and let things work out for themselves.

This is Kelly Olynyk strategy once again.  The difference is that I believe Smart will be resigned.

[Green-18]

Down here in Rocky Top, I don't get the day-to-day details on Celtics.  Please explain to me why we did not extend Smart's contract. According to Marcus, he was not asking for anything unreasonable. I hope Danny does not get carried away being too cold and calculating.

Marcus Smart is exactly the type of player you win titles with - yes, he needs to improve shot selection, but that is on Stevens. Smart's intangibles and amazing ability to deliver big plays in crunch time cannot be replaced. I also am very much enjoying the Celtics return to being the bully on the block. We lost that when we stupidly traded Perk. Marcus Smart is the guard's version of Kendrick Perkins with a little extra talent as well.

What was the real sticking point with the extension ??

We may never know how far apart they were but it definitely serves the Celtics to wait.  As other have said, Terry Rozier allows the Celtics to sit back without too much concern.  Nobody can replicate all of the intangibles that Marcus brings on defense but Terry fills these gaps in other areas.  Marcus is my favorite Celtic so it will be interesting to see how things go in the off-season.

To be honest it's probably best for Marcus to wait it out in free agency.  We don't know how the landscape of the NBA will change in regards to Superstar players.  A newly signed Marcus could be included in any off-season trade that Danny Ainge is considering.  Marcus at least has some leverage to dictate his future while all the craziness of the NBA off-season is going on.  Someone  correct me if I am wrong, but the Celtics can only sign and trade Marcus to a team that he accepts a contract with in restricted free agency.   

[BitterJim]

Ainge was best served letting Smart hit RFA this year and allowing the market to set his price, especially after a contract year. If Smart is still a horrid shooter at season's end, Boston pribably wins the negotiating game. If not, they still have Rozier to fall back on, especially if he shows offensive imprivement this year. Simply put, it was in the Cs best interest not to extend him tow and let things work out for themselves.

This is Kelly Olynyk strategy once again.  The difference is that I believe Smart will be resigned.

I think it plays out a lot like Avery Bradley in 2014.  We'll end up agreeing to terms early in FA, before any other teams really make an offer

[BitterJim]

Down here in Rocky Top, I don't get the day-to-day details on Celtics.  Please explain to me why we did not extend Smart's contract. According to Marcus, he was not asking for anything unreasonable. I hope Danny does not get carried away being too cold and calculating.

Marcus Smart is exactly the type of player you win titles with - yes, he needs to improve shot selection, but that is on Stevens. Smart's intangibles and amazing ability to deliver big plays in crunch time cannot be replaced. I also am very much enjoying the Celtics return to being the bully on the block. We lost that when we stupidly traded Perk. Marcus Smart is the guard's version of Kendrick Perkins with a little extra talent as well.

What was the real sticking point with the extension ??

We may never know how far apart they were but it definitely serves the Celtics to wait.  As other have said, Terry Rozier allows the Celtics to sit back without too much concern.  Nobody can replicate all of the intangibles that Marcus brings on defense but Terry fills these gaps in other areas.  Marcus is my favorite Celtic so it will be interesting to see how things go in the off-season.

To be honest it's probably best for Marcus to wait it out in free agency.  We don't know how the landscape of the NBA will change in regards to Superstar players.  A newly signed Marcus could be included in any off-season trade that Danny Ainge is considering.  Marcus at least has some leverage to dictate his future while all the craziness of the NBA off-season is going on.  Someone  correct me if I am wrong, but the Celtics can only sign and trade Marcus to a team that he accepts a contract with in restricted free agency.

All sign and trades require the player to want to sign with the team. You can't sign and trade someone against their will.

[Fafnir]

Also another factor is if the Lakers pick conveys. A pick in the 2-5 slot gets paid a lot of money and changes the salary structure from a luxury tax perspective.

The C's talk about not caring about how much they would pay in luxury tax but that is never the whole truth given how punishing the repeater tax is.

[ETNCeltics]

His skillset doesn't include the most important skill.

Some bad team with cap room will overpay him.

Doing things that help your team win games is the most important skill set. He is going to get paid.

Oh, I've no doubt he'll get paid well. I don't think it will be by the Celtics. Some teams - mostly bad teams - will have a ton of cap space, and few players to burn it on. Someone will pay MS a lot more than he's worth.

And no, while the nitty gritty role Marcus plays is important, no skill is as important as being able to get your own shot, and/or be able to shoot 3s. Marcus can't do either. He's shooting 33%. Were it someone else, we could chalk it up to a bad start to the season. With Marcus, it's who he is. It's difficult to play winning basketball with that great of a handicap.

With Kryie, Tatum, Brown, Rozier, Hayward in the fold, I don't see the Celts getting into luxury tax over Smart. Fans can make some good points as to why we should, but I'd wager Marcus will be diving after loose balls somewhere else next season.

[Sophomore]

Unless Marcus comes at a complete bargain, I’m not resigning him at all.

He is not going to come at a bargain. Other teams GMs recognize his unique skill set and will pay him. He helps you win games.

He helps you win games, but not in ways that are impossible to match. I want to buy into the new Marcus, with improved jump shot mechanics - but since he returned from injury I've seen him go back to tossing bricks from above the break, with his feet pointed at the sideline. I like his attitude and a lot of what he brings, but if you pay him too much you can't pay the starters you need in the playoffs.

I suppose the upside might be that if he keeps shooting the way he is now that will keep his price from getting too high.

[Green-18]

Down here in Rocky Top, I don't get the day-to-day details on Celtics.  Please explain to me why we did not extend Smart's contract. According to Marcus, he was not asking for anything unreasonable. I hope Danny does not get carried away being too cold and calculating.

Marcus Smart is exactly the type of player you win titles with - yes, he needs to improve shot selection, but that is on Stevens. Smart's intangibles and amazing ability to deliver big plays in crunch time cannot be replaced. I also am very much enjoying the Celtics return to being the bully on the block. We lost that when we stupidly traded Perk. Marcus Smart is the guard's version of Kendrick Perkins with a little extra talent as well.

What was the real sticking point with the extension ??

We may never know how far apart they were but it definitely serves the Celtics to wait.  As other have said, Terry Rozier allows the Celtics to sit back without too much concern.  Nobody can replicate all of the intangibles that Marcus brings on defense but Terry fills these gaps in other areas.  Marcus is my favorite Celtic so it will be interesting to see how things go in the off-season.

To be honest it's probably best for Marcus to wait it out in free agency.  We don't know how the landscape of the NBA will change in regards to Superstar players.  A newly signed Marcus could be included in any off-season trade that Danny Ainge is considering.  Marcus at least has some leverage to dictate his future while all the craziness of the NBA off-season is going on.  Someone  correct me if I am wrong, but the Celtics can only sign and trade Marcus to a team that he accepts a contract with in restricted free agency.

All sign and trades require the player to want to sign with the team. You can't sign and trade someone against their will.

Yeah I know that a sign and trade can't happen without the players agreement.  What I meant is that if the Celtics match another teams offer in RFA then they can't trade Marcus for 3 months.  The only exception is that the Celtics can negotiate with a team that Marcus agrees to sign with right?  For example, let's say Marcus accepts a deal with Brooklyn at the end of the season.  The Celtics are allowed to approach the Nets and posture as if they are going to match the deal.  This could potentially open the door for a sign and trade scenario.

If Marcus signed prior to this season then Ainge could move him at any point next summer.  If I am Marcus then I prefer to have the leverage during the off-season.  There is always a risk of injury but I think it was a good idea for Marcus to wait even if they weren't far off on the money.