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Former Celtics Fan Favorite Already Kicked to Curb by New Team at the Trade Deadline

By Ryan Markham

Dec 13, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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As the NBA trade deadline has come and gone, teams around the association made moves to improve their rosters now or acquired draft picks to set them up for success in the future.

This year's trade deadline saw mayhem across the league. Luka Doncic to the Lakers, Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, and De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs were among the most notable moves made in the past couple of days.

The lone move the Celtics made was sending Jaden Springer and two future second-round picks to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2031 second-round pick.

One former Celtic fan favorite was dealt on deadline day, just 19 months after being traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies.

NBA News: Marcus Smart Traded From Grizzlies to the Wizards

Smart goes from a 36-15 Memphis team to an NBA-worst 9-41 Wizards team in a deal made within the last hour of the trade deadline. The Washington Wizards will be Smart's 3rd team in less than 2 years.

As part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade in June 2023, Smart landed in Memphis, where he battled finger and ankle injuries en route to only playing 20 games last season.

This season, Smart has only appeared in 19 games, averaging 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 35.8% shooting in 21 minutes per game.

Due to Smart's expensive contract, lack of production and injury history, Memphis felt it was best to ship the former Celtic off to Washington. He will likely be bought out by the Wizards, where Smart can then sign with a different team, preferably a contender.

With star point guard Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Luke Kennard on the roster, Smart was the odd man out after an injury-riddled tenure with Memphis after being a fan favorite and staple in the Celtics lineup for years.

Smart will likely not stay on the Wizards for long and will find a new destination soon. The Celtics are not an option to sign Smart, as his contract is too expensive for the Celtics, who are a second-apron team.

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