Marcus Smart “knew” the Celtics would move him at some time, but he was unsure of the specifics.
In the end, a deal was made when Boston included its previous longest-tenured player in a three-team trade that resulted in Kristaps Porzingis this past offseason. Smart currently resides in Memphis, where the Grizzlies club, which is predicted to contend for the Western Conference title, should significantly value his combative playing style.
Smart wasn’t a player that Memphis just happened to pick up. The Grizzlies truly wanted to sign the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, who has a chance to mesh well with his new squad, as general manager Zach Klemain said back in July. Smart poked fun at his former squad to demonstrate how much he values his status in Memphis.
“You always want to be where people are looking for you, because what’s good for one squad can be gold for another. So, I’m happy to be here,” Smart told Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “I’m happy to be working for a company that values me and thinks highly of me. I’m thrilled and ready to start working now.
Prior to the trade, Smart emphasized that he still has “all love” for the Celtics and the city of Boston. The 29-year-old does, however, usually play with a chip on his shoulder, and being sold off by the C’s now seems to have added incentive.
As a result, when Smart steps onto the TD Garden floor for the first time as a visitor on February 4, you can count on him playing with a competitive edge.
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