3 Boston Celtics players that benefited the most from NBA trade deadline

Boston Celtics player No. 3) Marcus Smart

Coming into this year’s trade deadline, Marcus Smart was one of the most noteworthy players (outside of the likes of, say, James Harden and Ben Simmons) rumored to be available on the block.

Being heavily linked to both the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves, with a few other ball clubs reportedly checking in on his availability, until 3 PM (EST) hit on Thursday afternoon, no one felt comfortable discussing the fate of the C’s heart-and-soul guard.

Ultimately, however, the eighth-year veteran remains in tow, and, for the first time seemingly all season, he has the opportunity to take a sigh of relief.

He’s here to stay.

Though it may have been tough sledding to open up the season, posting averages of 11.3 points and 5.5 assists on 40 percent shooting from the floor and a putrid 28 percent shooting from deep over the first few months of the season, since the calendar year flipped to 2022 Marcus Smart has been an absolute revelation for the Boston Celtics.

From January 2nd on, the 27-year-old has found himself boasting averages of 12 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 39 percent shooting from deep.

Now, with Dennis Schroder in Houston, the starting point guard position is unequivocally Smart’s and, alongside Derrick White (a fantastic complementary guard to have paired alongside the Swiss Army man), Boston now will find themselves rolling out one of the most menacing defensive tandems in the entire league.

Buckle up C’s fans, this team could be on the brink of something special!