Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart has truly become the blood line of Boston Celtics basketball. From his tough nosed defense to his improved offense game — namely his shooting stroke — the 26 year old combo guard is the leader of the C’s second unit and it’s not even close.
Through 53 games played Smart has managed to register career highs seemingly all across the board, boasting averages of 13.5 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 boards and 1.6 steals per game on 35 percent shooting from deep.
While holding a defensive box plus minus of 1.3 Smart has even thrust himself into the conversation for the Defensive Player of the Year award, according to NBA great Dwyane Wade:
"“I know this is normally a big man’s award but this year, we need to get back to the Gary Payton and Michael Jordans of the world, where guards get the Defensive Player of the Year. What Marcus Smart has done… I mean, he’s fearless. And it’s not just the blocks, it’s the hustle, it’s the diving on the floor for the ball, it’s the switching one through five he does.”"
With all these accomplishments and accolades — 2019 NBA All-Defensive First-team — it’s crazy to think that Boston has him under contract through the 2021-22 season on an average salary of of $13.1 million per year.
When looking at the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, along with the three players that finished behind him in the running one would notice that all of them are signed with their respective team to max contracts.
And we’ve got Marcus Smart for under $15 million a year.
Bargain? I think so!