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Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart needs to be first priority in free agency

By Joshua Bateman

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics looks on after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics looks on after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Smart needs to be the free agency priority for the Boston Celtics

Free agency is about to begin, and the Boston Celtics do not have much room or money to work with. The moment a move is made, it will change anything else they want to do. The Celtics need to make sure they have their priorities, because there is very liitle freedom with what they have to work with.

The good news is that the Celtics should have a pretty clear priority, because making their decision on Marcus Smart needs to be the first one they make. The Celtics certainly have their price for Smart, and they will have to wait and see how long he wants to test the open market.

The Celtics extended their qualifying offer to Smart, so they can match any offer that is given. It does not change too much, but it means the Celtics have total control over the situation.

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If the Celtics decide to bring Smart back, that will pretty much wrap up their free agency. They will have filled up their roster, and spent all the money they can afford. For the price they want him, the Celtics will not find a better option in free agency.

They will certainly have to think about backup plans, but everything in free agency will be predicated on what happens with Smart, and that means they cannot even think about a second priority until they handle this situation.

There has been talk of a lot of interest in Smart this offseason, so that could extend the process quite a bit. Smart will want to see every offer, and make sure he knows exactly how much he is able to get in free agency.

On the other hand, Smart has made it clear that he wants to return to Boston. Before testing the market, he surely has a contract in his mind, and if the Celtics are able to offer him what he desires right away, then this could wrap up very quickly.

The Celtics are not going to be players for any top tier free agent, and they will not want to take any risk of overpaying someone they are not sure about.

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The Celtics have all the talent they need to contend right now, and Smart really is the only question mark left. Both sides have made it clear they want to get a deal done, and if Smart really is the number one free agency priority for the Celtics, he should be back where he belongs next season.