Trade season is approaching its apex, with Thursday’s trade deadline serving as the splashiest day in the NBA transaction cycle every season. For years, the Boston Celtics have been saving the blockbusters for the offseason.
2020-21 is different, though.
The Boston Celtics haven’t disappointed this much since the 2012-13 season, but even that year had the built-in excuse of Rajon Rondo’s season-ending injury. This season has offered little in the way of optimism for a franchise that was expecting to be among the east’s elites after being a top-five team on both ends of the ball last season.
Things have gotten so tenuous in Boston–who, despite winning their last two games against non-playoff teams, no longer threaten the top of the Eastern Conference–that someone most saw as a potential Cs-lifer is now being bandied about in trade rumors.
According to The Athletic, Marcus Smart is being seriously considered by the Atlanta Hawks:
The Hawks have shown interest in both Marcus Smart and Lonzo Ball.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 22, 2021
Sources tell @ShamsCharania: https://t.co/kJdYXQh00e pic.twitter.com/jsiKxIxCku
Apparently, the Cs have names in mind when it comes to finding an ideal Smart-Hawks package for both sides:
Aaron Gordon has formally requested a trade from the Orlando Magic, sources tell @sam_amick & me. A deep dive his trade market, the Celtics’ pursuit of John Collins & how Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic could be involved.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 22, 2021
NEW @TheAthleticNBA https://t.co/5PEqOav4DA
Crazy times have inspired crazy developments, and now more than ever, it feels like Smart’s days in Boston could be numbered.
Hardwood Houdini has decided to envision what a potential Smart blockbuster could look like: