Three teams who I presumed would be Smart suitors are now out of the running.
Indiana, Phoenix, and Dallas all spent substantial money since this morning, so they're out. I really can't think of anyone else who would pony up for him. Maybe Sacramento?
I envision Smart taking a 2-year, $24-26 million type deal to re-sign with the Celtics.
Why would he do that? If someone else offers Smart a two-year 24 million deal (who?) I think the C's maybe let him walk, and re-sign him in two years time... Marcus is after a 4 year deal at least.
Because that's probably the most optimistic deal he gets now. I understand that a 4-year deal is what he wants. I just don't see him getting that in this cap crunch. Restricted free agents got screwed in this market the most. Unless you have proved you have star potential (which Smart has not), you're not getting a long-term expensive deal from anyone.
Also, if I read you correctly, you're saying let Smart walk for two years, then bring him back? That's going to be really tricky given that by then, we'll have to focus on paying long-term for Al, Kyrie, Hayward, and Brown. Not to mention Tatum will be eligible for an extension the following year.
The reason why I see Smart taking a two-year deal is that everyone will miraculously have cap room again in 2020 with an even higher salary cap. Plus by then, he'll be unrestricted so he'll have nothing holding him back.