3 Boston Celtics that were negatively impacted by the NBA trade deadline

Boston Celtics player No. 2) Marcus Smart

It may be a bit perplexing to see Marcus Smart listed here today, for we recently found him slotting in on our list of players who actually benefited from Boston’s deadline moves.

However, the benefits we pointed out are predominantly focused on the short-term or, in other words, from now until the end of the year.

His inclusion on this list today is more in regard to his long-term outlook with the shamrocks.

As mentioned earlier, the biggest move the C’s made this year was the trade with the San Antonio Spurs that landed them combo guard, Derrick White.

Now, while on the surface this could simply be perceived as a backcourt bolstering move with Smart in the picture–for White actually compliments the Swiss Army man quite well–when diving into his contract details coupled with his proven play while serving as a team’s lead guard, one could see this move as being the beginning stages of setting up for a life without their eighth-year veteran.

Leading up to the deadline, rumors were coming out left and right suggesting that Boston’s front office was receiving inquiries pertaining to the availability of their defensive stalwart, and it was even reported that the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves were in hot pursuit of him in the twilight hours of that very day.

Ultimately, Stevens and co. held onto Smart, thus formulating the backcourt tandem that we now see in tow.

However, should the Celtics wind up fizzling out with yet another early-round playoff exit or, simply, should they feel that this team cannot legitimately compete for a title as currently constructed, the front office could look to make some serious offseason moves which, in theory, could include Smart heading outbound.

One could certainly make the argument that White is a more natural floor general than Smart is what with his high-end eagerness to facilitate.

This narrative was only further strengthened during his time with the Spurs earlier this year where, when taking over lead guard duties while Dejounte Murray missed five-straight games due to COVID-19 protocols in late December, the fifth-year pro went on to post stellar averages of 14.6 points, 8.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and a block on 44 percent shooting from the field.

If Boston believes that this team would be better served in the long-term with White running the show at the one, they could opt to then shop their most valuable non-untouchable commodity in Smart to try and pursue players that could better complement their desired lineup moving forward.

Put it this way, if Stevens wants his newly acquired guard leading the way as the team’s franchise floor general and it’s plausible that he could go on to then deal Marcus Smart and a few other assets to the Hawks in exchange for, oh I don’t know, John Collins (a player that the C’s were rumored to be high on this year), who’s going to say they shouldn’t try to accomplish this feat?

Now yes, I know we’re getting somewhat ahead of ourselves with this relative conspiracy, but at the very least the team’s long-term plans with Smart must be monitored closely now that White is in the picture.