Marcus Smart’s Contract Situation

Marcus Smart could have a lot on the line this season with his contract situation

When the Boston Celtics were figuring out how to free open space for Gordon Hayward, and evaluating which players they could part with in the Kyrie Irving trade, Marcus Smart felt like one of the players at most risk to be on a different team.

The Celtics had to part ways with Smart, Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder to get that cap room, and those same guys were involved in each and every trade rumor.

When Smart was not just the only one of those three to make it, but was one of four players on the entire team to stay on the roster, making him the longest tenure player on the team. The Celtics were making it quite clear how much they believed in Smart.

Now, once again, that kind of talk is surfacing, as Smart has revealed that there have been no negotiations regarding his potential contract extention, with a deadline quickly approaching on October 16th (Via CelticsBlog).

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If no agreement is reached, then Smart will become a free agent next summer, which gives Smart a lot more power and control to test the market and try to drive up his contract.

Even if the Celtics decide to wait it out, and let Smart earn all his money in his contract year, the Celtics have to be the overwhelming favorites to re-sign him.

First of all, Smart has made it clear that the Celtics are his first choice (Via CelticsBlog), and it always feels as though Smart is valued a lot higher by the Celtics than any other franchise in the league.

Forget about what he does on the court, Smart has carried the identity of this team for years. He has been a leader since his rookie season because of his relentless intensity and effort, and it is something that other players feed off of.

And now, he is showing signs on the court that could end up costing the Celtics a lot more money next summer. Right now, it is still too hard to trust that Smart will ever become a reliable shooter, and shooting is going to make the biggest difference on his contract this season.

We have always seen what Smart can do on defense. He has established himself as arguably the most unique and dynamic defensive guard in the league. He has the strength to hold his own against bigs, and with the lost weight he now has the speed and quickness to keep up with guards like John Wall.

He is the key to their small ball lineups, and it even more valuable without Crowder on the roster to have help him with his versatility.

That being said, we have long known this about Smart on defense, and that should not be much of a concern with his contract.

If anything, it might be wiser for Smart to play out his contract year. If what we are seeing in the preseason translates consistently to the NBA, then Smart could be adding millions to his potential deal.

Smart already looks like the best passer on the team, who understands the offense better than anyone else, and now he is shooting 7-12 from three point range, with added quickness and no loss of his strength in the paint.

It is an incredibly small sample size, but Smart is looking like a well rounded and complete offensive player. This is so far from what he has been able to maintain in his career, but if Smart maintains this leap, then not getting an extension could be the best thing for his contract.

No matter what, the Celtics are going to be in a difficult situation cap wise next year. They also have to anticipate that Irving will have to be re-signed soon.

The reality of the NBA now is that it is almost impossible to really contend without going into the luxury tax. There is far too much talent out on certain teams to keep up without paying that penalty, and that could by why the Celtics are hesitant on Smart.

If he does not make that leap on the offensive end, and continues to be a liability on the offensive end at times, then the Celtics do not want to waste any of that potential space or pay the extra tax for him.

Chances are the Celtics are going to end up with Smart either way. If he makes the leap then they will have no choice other than to pay him, because he will be absolutely essential to this team. If he does not make that leap, then he should be cheap enough that the Celtics will not be risking too much on the money front.

Either way, this will be a fascinating season for Smart. There is still some time, so he could end up getting an extension. Whether he is playing on a new contract, or playing for a new contract, this is going to be the most interesting and important season of Smart’s young career.

Next: Where Does Boston Rank With the Rest of the NBA?

The Celtics as a team are now polished off, with the ability and talent to truly compete. Wouldn’t it be great if Smart follows the same timeline, and becomes the best possible version of himself right at the culmination of this rebuild.