Boston Celtics: Extend or trade on 3 summer 2022 free agents
Boston Celtics’ 2022 free agent to extend or trade #2: Marcus Smart
The question of extending or trading Marcus Smart is easily the most prevelant of any player on the roster.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix discussed it on the latest episode of The Ringer’s Bill Simmons Podcast (transcript via Yahoo):
"“My feeling is either Marcus gets extended or traded, but it’ll happen in the next six weeks and it’ll be one or the other,” Simmons said. “And I would lean toward the extension, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded him for, I don’t know, the seventh pick with the Warriors. … The 7-9 range is probably his value because I do think contending teams really value him because they’ve seen him in three conference finals teams. They know he could be a fourth or fifth guy on a really good team.”"
This is a difficult call. On one hand, Smart is the longest-tenured Celtic and has been a key facet of the team’s defensive identity. On the other, he is the key to the team getting into the lottery or acquiring another All-Star.
Ultimately, this is one that we go back and forth on as the rumor mill churns on the daily, but the mere fact that it’s a thought probably is a sign.