Marcus Smart was shocked when he was traded by the Boston Celtics to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to NBA insiders Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium and Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
The Celtics traded Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in the three-team trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. Memphis traded Tyus Jones to Washington as part of the deal.
“A gut punch,” said one source close to Smart, via Himmelsbach. “Complete shock.”
The Celtics drafted Smart with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Oklahoma State. The 29-year-old averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 581 games with Boston while shooting 38.6% from the field, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 77.7% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
“Marcus loves Boston,” one source said, via Himmelsbach. “He thought he was going to retire there. He wanted to retire there.”
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. They now have a Big 3 of Porzingis, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Boston is expected to sign Brown to the supermax extension this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Smart met with the Grizzlies when he was a restricted free agent in July 2018. He is now teammates with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
“Smart joined a brief call with his closest confidants late Wednesday night, sources said, and expressed hurt that out of all the guards on the roster, the Celtics decided to part ways with him,” Himmelsbach wrote. “He had come so far with the franchise and was determined to hang its first championship banner since 2008. He believed they were so close.
“But as frustration began to swell, sources said, Smart quickly reset. He reminded those close to him that as personal as it might feel, and as strong as his ties to the organization seem, this is ultimately a business. And this is sometimes how things go.”
