‘No risk’ in Boston Celtics exploring most well-traveled NBA vet: Analyst

FanNation’s Ben Stinar believes there’s “no risk” for the Boston Celtics to add the most well-traveled NBA veteran in the Association’s history, Ish Smith, since the point guard would most likely have no problem taking a non-guaranteed deal in free agency.

“The point guard position has been an area on their roster where there is not a lot of depth, and the team also traded 2022 Defensive Player of The Year Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies over the summer,” Stinar prefaced before saying, “Smith has significant experience and just won an NBA Championship, so he would be an intriguing addition to the Celtics.

“At this point in his career, he could likely be signed for the veteran’s minimum (or a non-guaranteed deal), so there would be no risk for the Celtics to bring him into training camp.”

Boston Celtics ‘could certainly do worse’ than adding Ish Smith

The crew over Celtics Wire believes Boston “could certainly do worse” than adding Smith in free agency.

“In past campaigns, veteran floor general Ish Smith has given the Boston Celtics fits,” Celtics Wire prefaced before asking, “Should the Celtics consider signing Smith to one of their open roster spots to shore up their backcourt depth?

“With career averages of 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game over the course of his 13-year career (to say nothing of having ‘Larry’ as a middle name), the Celtics could certainly do worse.”

Being in a championship roster, Smith finally has the most elusive accolade a role player can want as the crown jewel of his resume. While Smith didn’t receive any minutes during the team’s Western Conference Finals series against the Los Angeles Lakers or the 2023 Finals against the Miami Heat, he knows what a winning locker room looks like now. As a pass-first distributor, that makes his judgment for who would get touches more trustworthy.

There’s a need for the Cs, and if there’s a will to continue his career and not retire on top, there’s plenty of opportunity in Boston for Smith.