3 Former Celtics Failing Miserably With Their New Teams in 2023
Sometimes a change and scenery can be productive. Unfortunately, that isn't the case for these three former Boston Celtics who are learning that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
The Boston Celtics were one of the NBA's busier teams over the summer, doing everything they could to legitimize themselves as championship contenders. While offseason moves don't always pay off, that clearly isn't the case for the Celtics, who sit first in the Eastern Conference with a 16-5 record through the season's first quarter.
Having said that, to make room for the likes of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, C's fans had to say goodbye to several players to make room. While some of those individuals are succeeding in their new homes, others likely wish they were still in Boston.
Here are three former Celtics who are failing miserably with their new team this season.
1. Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies
Even though several players left Boston this offseason, Marcus Smart's departure hurt Celtics fans the most. The defensive specialist had become a fan favorite since being drafted sixth overall in 2014 but was caught off guard when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the deal that landed Porzingis.
On paper, it didn't seem like the worst move for Smart. After all, the Grizzlies were coming off back-to-back 50-win campaigns while boasting a lot of young talent.
Much to the team's dismay, Ja Morant's 25-game suspension and a slew of injuries to key players have prevented Memphis from playing to its true potential. The Grizzlies are currently 6-16 as of Dec. 12, which is good for third w. orst in the Western Conference.
Unfortunately for Smart, things aren't going well for him either. He's been limited to just 11 games due to a sprained ankle, having not suited up since Nov. 14. While he's averaging a solid 12.5 PPG in the games he has appeared in, his three-point success rate (29.5below-averageare%) is below average while his 5.5 turnovers per 100 possessions is close to doubling his career average (3.1).
Hopefully, Smart finds a way to turn things around when he returns from injury. He's under contract through the 2025-26 campaign, meaning it could be a long next three seasons if the situation doesn't improve.