Boston Celtics: 3 Marcus Smart trades Cs could still make
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is reportedly “not ungettable” this offseason. The Houdini has put together multiple trade packages for the 2014 lottery pick.
After a long offseason that saw a former All-Star skip town in free agency–the second consecutive offseason that statement rings true–Boston Celtics fans likely felt their hearts dropped after it was reported that Marcus Smart could potentially be had in a trade:
"The Boston Celtics have lost Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Gordon Hayward over the last two offseasons without compensation. The Celtics are reportedly open to shoring up those losses by moving their emotional leader. David Aldridge of The Athletic reported Marcus Smart is “not ungettable” in trade talks with the Celtics. Smart has two years remaining on his current contract and will make $26.8 million over that timeframe—a deal that is likely below his market value."
If this is true, the Houdini has to do our due diligence and figure out what trades the Cs can make involving Smart this offseason. We’ve come up with the following three trades:
Why the Boston Celtics do it
Marcus Smart is a better player than Kelly Oubre…hence why the Cs would also be acquiring a future first-round pick in this deal. The reason why Danny Ainge would consider such a trade-off is two-fold.
First, Boston would be taking on a potentially high draft pick for a swap of two players that aren’t dramatically far apart in overall skillsets. Oubre is actually a better scorer than Smart, so the team would unquestionably improve on the glamorous end of the floor.
Secondly, and most importantly, acquiring Oubre now would mean getting a draft pick and paying less for his eventual raise than Smart’s.
Why the Golden State Warriors do it
The Warriors have been smitten with Smart all offseason, so getting to pull the trigger now–especially after losing Klay Thompson for the season with a torn achilles–would be a prudent way to field a legitimate starting backcourt for a contender this season.