Marcus Smart RFA [Merged - finalizing 4 year deal]

[jpotter33]

Per Murph:

NEW: Source says Marcus Smart has not heard from Celtics since start of free agency, and he's "hurt and disgusted."

This is different than other rumors.  My hope is that Danny has talked to his agent and was giving Smart space to be with family instead while the two parties work out preliminary negotiations.

https://twitter.com/waltermccarty/status/1015048374976999424

Sources??? 😂 sources are funny people sometimes

This makes me feel a bit better. While not officially a part of the C's anymore, I think Walter would be a bit more informed about this than others.

[jpotter33]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2018/07/marcus_smart_hurt_that_celtics_have_not_spoken_to_him_about_new_contract#.Wz7GNMax8FY.twitter

LAS VEGAS — Though the NBA marketplace has overflowed with activity since the opening of free agency on July 1, Marcus Smart and his negotiating team are still waiting for their first call from the Celtics.

And according to someone close to the Smart camp, who requested anonymity to comment on the situation, the Celts guard is frustrated with the lack of outreach from his team.

“He loves the Celtics, but with these crickets he’s hearing, he’s hurt and disgusted by it,” said the source.

Though fellow 2014 lottery alumnus Dante Exum signed an eye-opening three-year, $33 million contract with Utah, for the most part the market has been bearish for restricted free agents.

However, limited prospects aren’t the main issue behind Smart’s disillusionment.

“I don’t think that bothers Marcus as much as no communication from Danny (Ainge),” said the source.

Reached Thursday, Ainge, the Celts president of basketball operations, declined comment.

For now, the only tangible bid from the team remains the $6.05 million qualifying offer tendered on June 29 to retain matching rights. For a player who projects his value in the vicinity of $14 million to $15 million, the lack of anything beyond a qualifying offer is being taken as an insult.

“He would have thought there would have been some kind of three- to four-year deal from them to show they’re interested,” said the source. “But the qualifying offer is the only one he has received, and there’s been no talk since free agency opened. He’s most disappointed that there has been no reaching out from their end.

“He’s just hurt and frustrated that Danny hasn’t reached out. That’s the most discouraging part of this whole thing. The last contact was a few days before free agency started.”

Smart has been in Dallas with his mother, Camilla, helping her deal with the pain and debilitation from bone marrow cancer. He recently moved her into an apartment across the street from the Dallas area clinic where she is receiving chemotherapy treatment.

And Smart is still waiting for that call, now with a thought that he may indeed have to plan on unrestricted free agency next summer when NBA teams are expected to once again be flush with money.

“If that’s the indication the Celtics are giving him — a one-year deal –— then absolutely, yes, he’s prepared for it,” said the source. “And that doesn’t bode well for the Celtics if it comes down to that.”

Teammates reached out to Smart, showing support and expressing hope he gets the contract he deserves.

“It’s like Isaiah (Thomas) last year, Marcus has played through injury,” the source said. “He pushed himself to return early (from thumb surgery) in the playoffs, taking the gamble that he was healed enough to play. He pours his heart out every day for that team. He’s been hurt and quite frankly disgusted by how this has gone. But you know what else? He’s kind of over it. You have to move on.”

Much has been made of the deal signed by Exum, a lavish reward for a player who averaged only 40.5 games over his first four injury-marred seasons.

Exum’s money isn’t the problem.

“Marcus doesn’t look at it that way — Oh, look what Dante got — but he does look at what he brings to the table for (the Celtics),” the source said. “And anyone who knows Marcus knows that he brings it all the time. Everyone knows he loves Boston. It’s his kind of place — loyal fans, a hard-nosed group. But there has been no progress in negotiations, regardless of what you might have read. That’s very untrue.”

Yeah, I'm calling BS on this. Does anyone really believe that Danny hasn't at least talked to Marcus or his agent one time since free agency started? The dude picked up a phone call on draft night from Rozier five minutes before drafting!

This is Walters not liking the offers and trying to get them up. What a joke.

EDIT: That last part has Walters written all over it.

[Eja117]

Well. Actually Smart said he was worth more than $14mill and we have the right to match so I can easily see Ainge not calling him. You call us.

[playdream]

Don't care either way, if it's true, then he isn't "all about winning" instead "all about money"
(so what do Smart sacrifice really if all the hustle is for the money?)

Then i don't really want him here long term

It will only look bad on Smart's part

[knuckleballer]

Don't care either way, if it's true, then he isn't "all about winning" instead "all about money"
(so what do Smart sacrifice really if all the hustle is for the money?)

Then i don't really want him here long term

It will only look bad on Smart's part

I don't agree at all.  Money should be a major factor for him.

[ManUp]

Whether or not it's true it seems like Marcus screwed himself when he decided not to take Danny's offer last years which I think was 13-14 range.

[playdream]

Don't care either way, if it's true, then he isn't "all about winning" instead "all about money"
(so what do Smart sacrifice really if all the hustle is for the money?)

Then i don't really want him here long term

It will only look bad on Smart's part

I don't agree at all.  Money should be a major factor for him.

True, but that's his choice not ours to make. we made our offers,take it or leave it

[jpotter33]

Whether or not it's true it seems like Marcus screwed himself when he decided not to take Danny's offer last years which I think was 13-14 range.

Yep. I don’t think Smart’s quote about “$12 - $14M” was arbitrary. I think that’s exactly the type of contract he was being offered and refused during the extension talks. Danny now has no pressure given that the market isn’t forcing his hand like Smart was hoping.

Still think a deal gets done around $12M for 4 years.

[RJ87]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2018/07/marcus_smart_hurt_that_celtics_have_not_spoken_to_him_about_new_contract#.Wz7GNMax8FY.twitter

LAS VEGAS — Though the NBA marketplace has overflowed with activity since the opening of free agency on July 1, Marcus Smart and his negotiating team are still waiting for their first call from the Celtics.

And according to someone close to the Smart camp, who requested anonymity to comment on the situation, the Celts guard is frustrated with the lack of outreach from his team.

“He loves the Celtics, but with these crickets he’s hearing, he’s hurt and disgusted by it,” said the source.

Though fellow 2014 lottery alumnus Dante Exum signed an eye-opening three-year, $33 million contract with Utah, for the most part the market has been bearish for restricted free agents.

However, limited prospects aren’t the main issue behind Smart’s disillusionment.

“I don’t think that bothers Marcus as much as no communication from Danny (Ainge),” said the source.

Reached Thursday, Ainge, the Celts president of basketball operations, declined comment.

For now, the only tangible bid from the team remains the $6.05 million qualifying offer tendered on June 29 to retain matching rights. For a player who projects his value in the vicinity of $14 million to $15 million, the lack of anything beyond a qualifying offer is being taken as an insult.

“He would have thought there would have been some kind of three- to four-year deal from them to show they’re interested,” said the source. “But the qualifying offer is the only one he has received, and there’s been no talk since free agency opened. He’s most disappointed that there has been no reaching out from their end.

“He’s just hurt and frustrated that Danny hasn’t reached out. That’s the most discouraging part of this whole thing. The last contact was a few days before free agency started.”

Smart has been in Dallas with his mother, Camilla, helping her deal with the pain and debilitation from bone marrow cancer. He recently moved her into an apartment across the street from the Dallas area clinic where she is receiving chemotherapy treatment.

And Smart is still waiting for that call, now with a thought that he may indeed have to plan on unrestricted free agency next summer when NBA teams are expected to once again be flush with money.

“If that’s the indication the Celtics are giving him — a one-year deal –— then absolutely, yes, he’s prepared for it,” said the source. “And that doesn’t bode well for the Celtics if it comes down to that.”

Teammates reached out to Smart, showing support and expressing hope he gets the contract he deserves.

“It’s like Isaiah (Thomas) last year, Marcus has played through injury,” the source said. “He pushed himself to return early (from thumb surgery) in the playoffs, taking the gamble that he was healed enough to play. He pours his heart out every day for that team. He’s been hurt and quite frankly disgusted by how this has gone. But you know what else? He’s kind of over it. You have to move on.”

Much has been made of the deal signed by Exum, a lavish reward for a player who averaged only 40.5 games over his first four injury-marred seasons.

Exum’s money isn’t the problem.

“Marcus doesn’t look at it that way — Oh, look what Dante got — but he does look at what he brings to the table for (the Celtics),” the source said. “And anyone who knows Marcus knows that he brings it all the time. Everyone knows he loves Boston. It’s his kind of place — loyal fans, a hard-nosed group. But there has been no progress in negotiations, regardless of what you might have read. That’s very untrue.”

Yeah, I'm calling BS on this. Does anyone really believe that Danny hasn't at least talked to Marcus or his agent one time since free agency started? The dude picked up a phone call on draft night from Rozier five minutes before drafting!

This is Walters not liking the offers and trying to get them up. What a joke.

EDIT: That last part has Walters written all over it.

It reeks of Happy Walters. He pulled the same crap with Nerlens Noel last offseason.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What's Ainge supposed to do? I know Smart isn't this dumb.

Ainge is going to have 3 max guys next year, and 4 the year after that.

He still has to pay Rozier and secure another big to play with Baynes and Horford as they age (Williams?).

I love Smart as much as anyone, but grit isn't worth as much as stars.

I want him back, but he needs to be back on a grit contract. He's not a star and can't demand star money.

[GreenEnvy]

$12-14M per is a lot for a defensive specialist. While I know he is an elite defender, he is still a rather poor offensive player.

When a defensive guy like Baynes less than half that, it makes you wonder how much is Smart really worth?

I guess you can pay for the potential that he puts it together offensively, but he’s made little progress in his shot during his NBA tenure.

[colincb]

If any team thought Smart was worth $14MM, that team would have made an offer knowing that BOS would have been hard-pressed to match and stay out of the lux tax. Everyone knows what everybody else has to spend. It's not rocket science to the people who have to deal with cap issues as a big part of their job.

Don't assume that Smart's going to get a long-term offer from BOS either. The heart and soul of the team has a nice ring to it, but the heart, soul, and future of the Cs are the three UFAs they’ve acquired along with Tatum and Brown. Smart's not going to get the same minutes as last year and Danny may well go for someone who can spark the second unit instead.

I still think Danny's intends to re-sign Smart at a number that both sides can live with and that will keep the Cs out of the lux tax this year. Nonetheless, Danny will do what he thinks is in the Celtics' best interest and in Danny I trust a lot more than Smart and, especially, Smart's agent.

[vjcsmoke]

I'd offer Smart 3 years/33 million dollars.  This precedent already set by Dante Exum.

If he wants, give Marcus an opt out after 2 years so he can chase dollars relatively quickly if he believes he can get more later.

[saltlover]

If any team thought Smart was worth $14MM, that team would have made an offer knowing that BOS would have been hard-pressed to match and stay out of the lux tax. Everyone knows what everybody else has to spend. It's not rocket science to the people who have to deal with cap issues as a big part of their job.

Don't assume that Smart's going to get a long-term offer from BOS either. The heart and soul of the team has a nice ring to it, but the heart, soul, and future of the Cs are the three UFAs they’ve acquired along with Tatum and Brown. Smart's not going to get the same minutes as last year and Danny may well go for someone who can spark the second unit instead.

I still think Danny's intends to re-sign Smart at a number that both sides can live with and that will keep the Cs out of the lux tax this year. Nonetheless, Danny will do what he thinks is in the Celtics' best interest and in Danny I trust a lot more than Smart and, especially, Smart's agent.

I only half agree with you.  Teams that might have been interested in Smart, most notably Indiana, had the choice of making a reasonable offer that the Celtics might match, even if difficult for them.  However, doing so would have tied the team’s negotiable cap space up until this Sunday, when other potential targets might have been long off the board.  There’s a reason that all the major free agents that are left are restricted ones, and that’s because no one is going to sign those players until after the moratorium period is over in 10 hours.  This year almost all the money has dried up, however.

I also feel Ainge is willing to match a Smart offer that takes the team reasonably into the tax.  The Celtics rightfully believe they have a championship contender, and you don’t let an important, even if not most important, piece walk away because you’re worried about paying the repeater tax four years from now.  The preference is of course to avoid that, but if Smart got his $14 million I really believe the team would match.  Of course, this in itself helps to keep Smart from getting that offer, because no one wants to help Ainge sign Smart to a long-term deal.

[saltlover]

Another data point that this “rumor” that the Celtics haven’t talked to Smart (or his team) since free agency began is bunk:  Happy Walters is also the agent for newest Celtic Brad Wanamaker.  Certainly they’ve been in contact.