Boston Celtics rumors: 3 biggest trade assets to use in a blockbuster deal
Boston Celtics rumors: There’s a “Really good market” for Marcus Smart
Another player most Boston Celtics don’t want to part ways with is probably their biggest trade asset as far as bringing a good player in return without parting ways with either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown.
As the team’s longest tenured player, the 27-year-old Marcus Smart is entering the final year of his contract and really has become the heart and soul of the Celtics over the past few years.
A defensive warrior on the court, Smart does frustrate fans with his shot selection at times, but his intensity typically creates winning plays. Now, fans nor the team saw much of that in 2021, which is why perhaps moving Smart is the wisest mood at this time.
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With the Celtics linked to just about any star who is rumored in a potential trade, Smart’s name is typically included in any package because of what he could add to contending teams around the league.
The Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors have already been teams linked in potential trades for Smart. But can they give the Celtics anything back in return that would be of greater value than.
Unless that player is Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard, any move may be second guessed, but according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, something is going to go down with Marcus Smart whether a contract extension or a trade.
"“My feeling is either Marcus gets extended or traded, but it’ll happen in the next six weeks and it’ll be one or the other,” Simmons said on his podcast in early July. “And I would lean toward the extension, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded him for, I don’t know, the seventh pick with the Warriors. …The 7-9 range is probably his value because I do think contending teams really value him because they’ve seen him in three conference finals teams. They know he could be a fourth or fifth guy on a really good team.”"
What will Brad Stevens do? As Smart is considered a piece of the puzzle in Boston, he might be an odd fit when it comes to playing with Tatum and Brown. If Stevens and new Celtics coach Ime Udoka feels the team would be better trading him, that is exactly what Stevens will do.