The Boston Celtics made several bold moves in the summer of 2023. It started by trading Marcus Smart to get Kristaps Porzingis. The guard was a leader and fan favorite in Boston, but the franchise needed a shake-up. They followed by trading for Jrue Holiday and winning the championship. Things have not been perfect this season, but the banner will fly forever.
The Celtics drafted Smart with the sixth overall pick in 2014. He helped the franchise make nine straight playoff appearances, five trips to the conference finals and reach the NBA Finals in 2022. His defense was elite, but there was plenty of worry about how the 6’3 guard would age. Boston saw a chance to add one of the best stretch fives in the world and jumped at it.
Things have unraveled for Smart since joining the Memphis Grizzlies. Last season was a nightmare with injuries derailing the entire campaign. Memphis is third in the West right now, but not much has changed for Smart.
Grizzlies finding out Marcus Smart struggles to stay healthy
Smart played just 20 games last season and has only suited up for 18 of the first 42 so far. That means he has played in just 30.6 percent of the Grizzlies’ games since arriving. He is currently sidelined with a finger injury, but Memphis should have paid closer attention to his time in Boston.
Smart missed 21, 11, and 24 games in his final three seasons with the Celtics. He had suffered multiple injuries over the years and many were talking about regression that was already showing up. The 30-year-old plays a physical and intense brand of basketball. Those players tend not to age gracefully. The signs were on the wall, so Boston sold high. It appears the Grizzlies were left holding the bag.
Smart is back in trade rumors as Memphis looks to make a title push. They have moved the 6’3 guard to the bench and do not want to rely too much on his production. The Grizzlies hope to find an upgrade, but Smart’s $21.5 million salary for the 2025-26 season could make that challenging.
Marcus Smart should soon be back from his latest injury. Boston Celtics fans will root for him to help the Grizzlies, but nobody knows what to expect. He must stay on the floor or opportunities could quickly diminish for the former heart and soul of the Celtics. It has been a struggle over the last two years, but Smart is only 30. Hopefully, this turns into a blip, but Boston fans knew this was coming.
The Boston Celtics have their own issues. They have lost four of their last seven and do not look like the same dominant team from last season. Keep an eye on Smart when he returns to the court and how the Celtics bounce back from their current rough spell. They are still title favorites, but things change fast in the NBA. Stay tuned for all the latest.