Boston Celtics: Warriors once again named hypothetical landing spot for Marcus Smart

Due to the strength of the best trade packages they could put together, the Golden State Warriors continue to be mentioned as a potential trade partner with the Boston Celtics for Marcus Smart.

The idea of Marcus Smart being traded away from the Boston Celtics is a scenario that likely angers a large portion of the C’s fanbase. After the idea was originally floated by the Athletic, talk of Smart being traded to the Golden State Warriors has been mentioned more as the NBA’s season suspension has worn on.

First, Bleacher Report held a mock NBA fantasy league that saw the Warriors end up landing Smart in a series of transactions. Recently, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Pool listed several deals the Warriors could execute using their first-round pick and their trade exception from sending Andre Iguodola to the Memphis Grizzlies last July.

It sounds crazy, but the Celtics may actually consider such a scenario if certain things break right (or wrong). Danny Ainge has never been afraid to shake up the team’s core to get better and/or save money when necessary. With the salary cap potentially lowering due to the effects of the Coronavirus, Ainge could be in for a roster crunch with raises due for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum the next two seasons.

Smart is a free agent in 2022, and could see a substantial raise himself. Being that he is a sixth man six seasons into his career, the price to retain a bench player could ultimately drive him out of Beantown.

It would be somewhat of an Ainge move to trade a beloved point guard away for a flashier solution. Whatever high pick the Warriors lottery pick ends up being could solve more immediate needs for a C’s team that is still growing into what it could be with 24 and 22 year old stars in Brown and Tatum.

Smart would bring defensive energy, playmaking, and the occasional hot stretch shooting from the wing not dissimilar to Andre Iguodola. With Warriors brass essentially hoping Andrew Wiggins could be their new Harrison Barnes, it appears Golden State could have the pieces for a second dynastic run if they can somehow land Smart.

The situation will have to be monitored. Right now it looks like a long shot. But a likely top-three pick in the draft for Smart is a deal worth pondering about if you work in the Boston Celtics front office.