An Amir Johnson-Like Deal For Smart Makes Sense For Both Sides

[saltlover]

Isn't the minimum length 3 years for a RFA? Pretty sure the only way he stays for one year is if he signs the QO.

Offer sheets for RFAs need to be at least two non-option years (unless they receive a maximum qualifying offer, in which case it’s longer, but that’s not happening here).  However, the Celtics would not be signing him to an offer sheet, so even a 1-year deal greater than the qualifying offer is permissible.

It doesn’t make too much sense for the Celtics to do this, but it may be a good-faith gesture that earns them a right of first-refusal in the summer of 2019.  It would also increase the amount of salary the Celtics could take back in a Smart sign-and-trade in 2019, through the base-year compensation mechanism.  This would allow the Anthony Davis dream to live on.

I would consider this the least likeliest if possible outcomes, but it does have a rightful place on the possible outcome list, and we’ve seen Ainge offer a 1-year high-value deal to an RFA before (Jeff Green in December 2011 — although that deal was voided after the heart condition was discovered).

[mutineer33]

I am a huge Marcus Smart fan ... but most likely he is gone this year.  He is a consistent Jump Shot away from being an NBA all star.  While 4 years of history suggest his shot may not improve, all it takes is one team to believe they can fix his shot .... at which point they then have an NBA all star level player.   Even with the flawed shooting he is still likely worth more than the Celtics can spend as he is a difference maker on and off the court.  Any team or coach looking to create a tougher defensive identity will be happy to get him.  The Celtics will let him get his best offer then have a very hard decision as to match. A lot will depend on how they view Rozier. Unlike the fan base I don't think they will reduce their perception of Rozier too much after his abysmal game 7.

Smart is 24 and needs to get paid.  His style of play is conducive to injuries so he cannot risk losing a year to injuries. It is not reasonable to expect him to take a home town discount or to take a one year "prove it" deal.   I expect the market value for Smart to be around 4 years @ 50 million, and if any serious bidding takes place it could go higher.

I just don't see the C's paying this.

As I said, I am a huge Smart fan and hope he returns somehow. I just think the teal leaves indicate otherwise.

[Phantom255x]

I am a huge Marcus Smart fan ... but most likely he is gone this year.  He is a consistent Jump Shot away from being an NBA all star.  While 4 years of history suggest his shot may not improve, all it takes is one team to believe they can fix his shot .... at which point they then have an NBA all star level player.   Even with the flawed shooting he is still likely worth more than the Celtics can spend as he is a difference maker on and off the court.  Any team or coach looking to create a tougher defensive identity will be happy to get him.  The Celtics will let him get his best offer then have a very hard decision as to match. A lot will depend on how they view Rozier. Unlike the fan base I don't think they will reduce their perception of Rozier too much after his abysmal game 7.

Smart is 24 and needs to get paid.  His style of play is conducive to injuries so he cannot risk losing a year to injuries. It is not reasonable to expect him to take a home town discount or to take a one year "prove it" deal.   I expect the market value for Smart to be around 4 years @ 50 million, and if any serious bidding takes place it could go higher.

I just don't see the C's paying this.

As I said, I am a huge Smart fan and hope he returns somehow. I just think the teal leaves indicate otherwise.

I could see the Celtics, at best, offer Smart 4/48M (or willing to match an offer sheet in that range). Anything higher and they may really hesitate.

We'll just have to see how the market as a whole plays out.

[Cman]

The OP should add that the deal for Amir was considered a huge overpay at the time. Honestlly, if Smart got that deal it wouldn't be considered an overpay, it would be considered about fair value in today's NBA.

Now, its possible that there are few teams with cap room, I don't know the specifics on that, but I'm just thinking about some of the contracts the last few years that "6th man" type players received. e.g., Evan Turner.

[Phantom255x]

The OP should add that the deal for Amir was considered a huge overpay at the time. Honestlly, if Smart got that deal it wouldn't be considered an overpay, it would be considered about fair value in today's NBA.

Now, its possible that there are few teams with cap room, I don't know the specifics on that, but I'm just thinking about some of the contracts the last few years that "6th man" type players received. e.g., Evan Turner.

Idk, you actually hear folks saying the QO itself is an overpay around here LOL.

The teams with some cap room are SAC, ATL, PHI, IND, NYK, LAL. Out of them, I view Sacramento and Indiana as the greatest threats to land Smart and overpay for his services. I would say PHI but I feel they are better off just bringing back Reddick as opposed to Smart if they do strike out in FA. Utah is another option but idk if they have *that* much cap space. 

[CelticsQuestFor18]

Maybe it's just me, but I'd honestly hate to lose our 6th pick from the (grueling) year we tanked for practically nothing. I'm not advocating we overpay for him, but I also hope we do keep him at a reasonable rate and the feeling's mutual.

[liam]

Maybe it's just me, but I'd honestly hate to lose our 6th pick from the (grueling) year we tanked for practically nothing. I'm not advocating we overpay for him, but I also hope we do keep him at a reasonable rate and the feeling's mutual.

Who gets the bigger deal/has more value, Smart or Randle? Who do you think lands the bigger contract?

[Cman]

The OP should add that the deal for Amir was considered a huge overpay at the time. Honestlly, if Smart got that deal it wouldn't be considered an overpay, it would be considered about fair value in today's NBA.

Now, its possible that there are few teams with cap room, I don't know the specifics on that, but I'm just thinking about some of the contracts the last few years that "6th man" type players received. e.g., Evan Turner.

Idk, you actually hear folks saying the QO itself is an overpay around here LOL.

The teams with some cap room are SAC, ATL, PHI, IND, NYK, LAL. Out of them, I view Sacramento and Indiana as the greatest threats to land Smart and overpay for his services. I would say PHI but I feel they are better off just bringing back Reddick as opposed to Smart if they do strike out in FA. Utah is another option but idk if they have *that* much cap space.

What about Houston?

[Cman]

Maybe it's just me, but I'd honestly hate to lose our 6th pick from the (grueling) year we tanked for practically nothing. I'm not advocating we overpay for him, but I also hope we do keep him at a reasonable rate and the feeling's mutual.

The way I view it, we got a lot out of him the past couple years.

[ETNCeltics]

The OP should add that the deal for Amir was considered a huge overpay at the time. Honestlly, if Smart got that deal it wouldn't be considered an overpay, it would be considered about fair value in today's NBA.

Now, its possible that there are few teams with cap room, I don't know the specifics on that, but I'm just thinking about some of the contracts the last few years that "6th man" type players received. e.g., Evan Turner.

Idk, you actually hear folks saying the QO itself is an overpay around here LOL.

The teams with some cap room are SAC, ATL, PHI, IND, NYK, LAL. Out of them, I view Sacramento and Indiana as the greatest threats to land Smart and overpay for his services. I would say PHI but I feel they are better off just bringing back Reddick as opposed to Smart if they do strike out in FA. Utah is another option but idk if they have *that* much cap space.

What about Houston?

They don't have room to do anything absent trades.

[Eja117]

I'd give him the QO, then see what other teams offer. This is the point of restricted free agency.

[Phantom255x]

I'd give him the QO, then see what other teams offer. This is the point of restricted free agency.

Makes sense. We just have to hope no one offers him more than 14M/Year+. We'll see.