The Boston Celtics have made their intentions for the near future clear. They want to build up the roster around their two young NBA All-Stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, not pull the plug on the pairing and break them up.
Despite having two excellent cornerstones, the Celtics have not been able to consistently get on track this season. They are currently 18-20 on the season and look destined to battle it out for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference.
They expected to be better, and if they want to achieve that goal, they need to make a move before the NBA trade deadline. Boston does not bring the energy and effort necessary to win games in the NBA on a nightly basis and a shake-up of the roster could help them achieve it.
Given that they are two months into the first year under Ime Udoka, they are unlikely to make too big of a move on the trade market. But, one player that could be in the middle of their trade talks is Marcus Smart.
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Smart has been the heart and soul of the team for years, but it could be time to change things up. If Tatum and Brown aren’t going to be moved, Smart could be the one dangled as a trade piece in late January once his restrictions are lifted.
Which teams could show an interest in the former Oklahoma State product? Here are three teams that should be pushing for a trade involving Smart.