Boston Celtics: 3 Marcus Smart trades Cs could still make

Why the Boston Celtics do it

This trade is a move geared towards the future of the franchise, believe it or not. The non-believer way of thinking probably goes something like this:

“Wait a second…how could a trade of Marcus Smart be a move for the future of the franchise? Taking away the heart and soul of the team kills them not only now, but also in the years to come! Why do you do this to me?”

I really am sorry for all of the stress I cause fans that disagree with my basketball opinions, there’s not a more oppressed group of people who deserve justice more than contrarians of my analysis. /end sarcasm.

Anyway, yes, trading Smart now allows the team to avoid a bloated contract extension in the summer of 2022 when the Oklahoma State product is 28 years old and is diminished in athleticism at the tail end of said deal. Turner is under team control for the next three seasons at minimum, and Daniel Theis is also due for a new contract next summer, meaning two overpays could be avoided by bringing on Turner’s value steal of a deal.

Why the Indiana Pacers do it

The Pacers didn’t trade Victor Oladipo, T.J. Warren, or really any notable win-now piece, meaning they are still trying to win games. Bringing on Smart makes them better defensively, and Theis may be able to replicate whatever is lost in dealing away Turner.