Marcus Smart has done enough to earn another contract with the Boston Celtics
For the first time in the Brad Stevens era, the Boston Celtics will not be looking to make franchise altering moves during the offseason. They have an active core they know they can win with, and want to keep what they have in tact right now.
Even so, the Celtics still have a lot of work to do this offseason, and the biggest question mark is Marcus Smart. People have been speculating about this offseason for Smart for a long time, because it is almost impossible to effectively gauge his value.
It is hard to imagine anyone investing much in a player who cannot shoot, and there is little reason to believe Smart will turn it around at this point. He’s had plenty of time to show some sort of improvement, or indication that he can be a reliable shooter.
Right now, he is not getting paid as if his shooting will improve, but that does not mean he should not get paid at all. It is always difficult to try and judge whether or not another team will value Smart as much as the Celtics, but the bottom line is that he has earned another contract.
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His shooting might actually end up being the reason he stays, because he would have a lot more lucrative offers if you could trust his ability to hit open shots from deep.
The Celtics had an opportunity to trade him last season to open up the cap space for Gordon Hayward. Instead, they sent Avery Bradley away, because they know how massive of an impact Smart has on the game for them.
With that in mind, you have to think the Celtics are ready to pay Smart, but the business side of the NBA usually takes over here, and we could be in line for another Evan Turner situation, where one team decides to take the chance by overpaying him.
The Celtics are at a point where they know they will be going into the luxury tax to keep this core in tact. The biggest obstacle for Smart is probably Terry Rozier. If the Celtics believe Rozier can take that backup point guard position full time, then Smart cannot be as valuable to this team. If, however, they are not that confident in Rozier, then it should be a no brainier to pay Smart. The dilemma is that they may not be able to afford both of them, so Rozier will have to factor into the decision.
Even if he cannot shoot, he impacts the game in more ways than almost any player. He is not just an elite defender, he might be the single best defender in the entire NBA. This is a guard that can defend all five positions, and you cannot understate how important that is to a team that embraces small ball like the Celtics.
On top of what he does on defense and with loose balls, he can be a play maker. He can produce in the post, and is arguably the best passer on the team right now.
When you look at Smart’s impact, it is not just what he does, because he opens up every single lineup option. The Celtics need Smart to force teams to adjust to their versatility, and that allows them to really dictate the game.
Smart is one of the most unique players in the NBA, and there is no way they will find another player that can do what he does. Maybe the Celtics will work out plans that do not incorporate all the things Smart does. In the end, you cannot deny how much Smart has to offer, and the Celtics should not have to worry about Smart playing well enough to warrant whatever contract he might be able to get on the open market.
Any time Smart hits the court, you can see what a difference he makes on defense. He is the leader out there and there is no doubt that this defense would regress in a bad way if they lose Smart.
In the end, it will always end up depending on the price. Right now, it does not feel like Smart will be able to get any kind of astronomical offer. His shooting will turn too many teams away. From that, there is no doubt that he has earned a long term spot on this team.
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The Celtics know they can win with this core right now, but a lot of things can be threatened if they lose Smart. Defense is the identity of this team and Smart is the identity of the defense. If the Celtics can find a way to fit a contract for Smart in their books, then there is no reason he should not be resigned this offseason.