It’s already starting to feel like a long time ago that Marcus Smart was the heart and soul of the Celtics and the city of Boston. He has played for three teams in three years since being traded from the Celtics, making a strong impression last year on the hated Lakers and reviving some of his value that had dissipated in Memphis and Washington.
Now, it sounds like he may be set to make it four teams in four years, as Marc Stein and Jake Fischer have reported that Smart is considering declining his $5.4 million player option for next season in LA, and that the Rockets “loom as a possible free agent destination.”
That would be a reunion of sorts for Smart, not with the Celtics, but with his former coach in Boston, Ime Udoka, who now helms the Rockets. Udoka obviously only lasted one season in Boston, taking over unexpectedly for Brad Stevens, then leaving even more unexpectedly, amid scandal, for Joe Mazzulla.
But that one season as Boston’s head man was a memorable one for Smart, who had arguably his best season in 2021-22. He averaged 12 points and 6 assists per game that year, but more importantly, anchored a Celtics defense that absolutely took off, making first-team All-NBA and taking home the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Smart and Udoka made a great pairing
Beyond that, Smart helped lead the Celtics to their first Finals appearance since Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen were battling with Kobe Bryant. They came up short against the Warriors (thanks for the reminder, right?), but it was a great season, and the partnership between Smart and Udoka seemed like a very strong one.
Now, with Udoka trying to establish a tough, defensive identity, with a roster that has struggled with guard play, Smart could be a glove-in-hand fit in Houston. Fred VanVleet will be back, but he’s 32 years old and coming off a major knee injury. Reed Sheppard should take a leap, but he just turned 22, and Udoka has been hesitant to trust him.
Marcus would be a great veteran addition to the backcourt, who could start or come off the bench, close games at times, and provide exactly what the Rockets need on both ends. The Rockets are stuck between aging players like FVV, Kevin Durant, and Steven Adams, while bringing along a new wave with Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith.
Interestingly, Smart would also make sense for the Celtics as a third guard and could be a target with some of the team’s mid-level exception. We’ll see whether or not either side would be interested in that reunion, but it would certainly be good for the vibes.
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