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Boston Celtics: What the Marcus Smart signing means for the future

By Ryan Feyre

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics speaks to Marcus Smart in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics speaks to Marcus Smart in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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On Thursday, the Boston Celtics re-signed restricted free agent Marcus Smart to a 4-year $52 million deal. What does this signing mean for the team’s future cap situation now that the point guard is back?

On Thursday morning, ESPN reported that restricted free agent Marcus Smart re-signed with the Boston Celtics for four years and $52 million. The deal comes after multiple reports of the Sacramento Kings expressing great interest in the defensive specialist. An offer was apparently in the works, but Boston swooped in right before Sacramento could even make an attempt.

GM Danny Ainge continued to be relatively quiet when it comes to free agent moves this summer. The Smart signing is by far the most notable move they’ve made since the offseason started in June (except their draft picks this year). Seemingly, Ainge gave in to Smart’s insistence on being worth more than $12-$14 million a year. In fact, the guard will be paid $13 million a year, right smack in the middle of what Marcus thought he was worth.

Fans seem to be split on the decision, with some loving the idea of having the “heart and soul of the team” back on the roster (like Chowder and Champions writer Xavier Aguiar), while others (like me) believe it was a bit of an overpayment for a player who can’t shoot.

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The Cap situation

The Celtics organization did exactly what I wanted them to do for the most part; stay quiet. However, the Smart acquisition tightens their cap space. According to The Ringer, Boston now plunges into the luxury tax this season, something that Ainge apparently expected, but tried to avoid.

A lot of people are saying this move is advantageous because now Boston can use him as a trade piece. On the other hand, no one even attempted to create a formal offer for the four-year guard this summer, most likely because he shoots an abysmal 29 percent from three, and 42 percent from two. What makes anyone think he will improve immensely up until the trade deadline this year? Beats me.

Smart won’t improve

I think we’ve found Smart’s ceiling. A ball-hawking defender who makes effort plays on both sides of the court. While I do think that’s a necessary player to have on a championship contender, it’s still not worth $52 million.

It’s such a win-now move as well, which is irritating considering no one is beating Golden State this year. Sure, the core of the team that was one game away from the NBA Finals this year is officially intact, but at the cost of a tight cap situation.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are set to be free agents over the next couple of years, and Kyrie Irving will be a free agent in the summer of 2019. How will the organization pay for all of these guys now? Those three players are a top priority, so Ainge must do anything in his power to retain them for the next decade. On top of that, Jimmy Butler and Irving have reportedly wanted to play with each other. The C’s will most likely not have the space to sign both of them, so will that mean Irving leaves to go somewhere else with the Timberwolves star?

Patience is a virtue in the NBA, and many GMs lack it. Ainge is one of the few who has patience. Unfortunately, the Smart move may cost him in the long run. Not to mention, Gordon Hayward has four years still left on his max contract from 2017.

Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Maybe the Celtics will be fine, and work everything out. My biggest worry is everything they’ve worked for over the past five years will go to waste because of a couple of risky moves.

Next: Kyrie Irving finally talks about future in Boston

Boston has worked their way to the top with intelligent trades and building through homegrown talent. Now they have the ability to win a championship in the next five years. Hopefully, the Smart deal doesn’t prevent that goal from happening.

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