The Boston Celtics traded Marcus Smart in 2023 after his first sign of decline to get Kristaps Porzingis. Smart made first-team All-Defense three times and was Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Celtics fans were gutted to see him go, but Boston couldn’t resist getting a stretch five and had just seen Smart’s productive and advanced metrics take a step back. The Celtics thought it might be the beginning of the end, but he is still making an impact on a contender.
Smart struggled to stay healthy in Memphis and was traded to the Wizards at the 2025 deadline. Washington bought him out in the offseason, and Luka Doncic recruited Smart to join the Lakers. Number 77 knew Los Angeles needed defense and toughness. Celtics fans know Smart is the perfect man for that job.
The 6’3 guard was hurt by the Celtics trade, so fans can bet he is loving proving his former team wrong. The Lakers have been significantly better with him on the floor this season, and many are calling for Smart to become a full-time starter for the rival Lakers. Boston has no regrets after winning a title, but they were wrong about Smart.
Marcus Smart keeps proving the Celtics dead wrong
Smart is averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes per game this season. Those numbers are all down from his Celtics days, but the Lakers don’t need him handling the ball or making plays. They have Luka, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves to initiate their attack. Smart is still drawing charges, playing stout defense, and helping the Lakers win.
Los Angeles currently sits fifth in the crowded West. They have dealt with several injuries and are still trying to fully integrate LeBron after he missed the first 14 games with a nerve issue. Few expected the Lakers to be competing for a top-four seed, and Smart has played a massive role in their success.
The Lakers are 6.9 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Smart in the game. They would currently sit 17th if he played every minute and 29th if he hadn’t played at all. It has led to Los Angeles being a plus-5.4 with him and a negative-2.9 when he sits. There are still head-scratching plays, but the purple and gold are significantly better with him.
The Celtics know all about his impact. They made the playoffs nine straight years with Smart on their roster, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2022 and five conference finals appearances. Boston didn’t get over the hump until after the trade, but Smart is still making an impact on a contender three years later.
The Boston Celtics are surprisingly near the top of the Eastern Conference and looking like a threat. They don’t regret trading Marcus Smart, but he still has it. The 6’3 guard makes his team better no matter where he goes. Expect him to keep proving the Celtics wrong as the 31-year-old has plenty of gas left in the tank. Brad Stevens miscalculated this one and deserves to take the rare loss. Credit to Smart for continually proving Boston wrong.