Reports: Boston Celtics Shopping Marcus Smart?

Things are already starting to get out of control for the Boston Celtics as the one player you’d least expect to get traded has been offered to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The reported deal is Marcus Smart and their two first round draft picks for Nerlens Noel and the third overall pick.

As painful as it would be to see Smart leave immediately after having a phenomenal rookie season this would immediately make the Celtics better. Noel is arguably the most coveted young big man in the league and they could get their point guard back by picking D’Angelo Russell.

The problem is that if were hearing about the deal, without it being finalized, chances are the 76ers have turned it down. The Celtics may not get a package as good as what they were looking for from the 76ers but this means that Danny Ainge is ready for anything.

No players and no picks will be off the table for Ainge and that includes their prized young point guard. What this rumor also reveals to us is the approximate range of Ainge’s asking price if Smart is going to be in any deal.

Noel and the 3rd overall is absolutely phenomenal. If Ainge believes he can get anything like that value by trading Smart to another team it will be a brilliant deal. The problem is that chances are they will never be able to get that kind of return.

Ainge is letting everyone know that if you are looking for a young player or are looking for a first or second round draft pick he is the man to go to.

The Celtics need a defensive big man more than they need a defensive point guard and if they can run that swap while getting a high draft pick the Celtics may look a lot different next season but it should be an improved look.

The problem with shopping Smart is that means the Celtics will be forced to address the PG position, or that means it will be time to unleash Isaiah Thomas. The main reason no one expects Thomas to become a starter is because Smart has locked up that position.

Apr 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

If Smart is out of the picture and they do not draft another point guard then Thomas will have a shot at the starting unit and even if there is a significant defensive drop off, the big they acquire in trading Smart should be able to make up some of that difference.

If this rumour is an indication of Ainge’s minimum asking price for Smart then chances are a deal with never be worked out but it reveals a willingness to trade and reveals how much Ainge wants to get a defensive big man. The Celtics could still be involved in trading up into the lottery and someone like Willie Cauley-Stein or Kristaps Porzingis could finally bring some interior defense to the Celtics and it may not cost them Smart.

More from Hardwood Houdini

Home/Celtics News