During his supermax extension press conference with NBA reporters, Jaylen Brown talked about the Boston Celtics trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Smart was traded to the Grizzlies in the three-team trade with the Washington Wizards. The Celtics acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Wizards in the blockbuster three-team deal.
An anonymous member of the Celtics told Keith Smith of Spotrac that the franchise traded Smart and Grant Williams and acquired Porzingis to “become a different kind of team.”
“We’re going to miss Marcus,” the anonymous member of the Celtics said. “We’re going to miss Grant. But we had to become a different kind of team. Getting KP is huge for us. Literally and figuratively. He’s going to make a massive difference for our offense. And he’s come a long way with his defense too.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Updates
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. It will be fascinating to see how many games Boston wins next season. A Big 3 of Porzingis, Brown and Jayson Tatum looks good on paper, but games are won between the lines.
The Celtics drafted Smart with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA 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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Updates
Smart was shocked when he was traded by the Celtics to the Grizzlies, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium and Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. The former Defensive Player of the Year met with Memphis when he was a restricted free agent in July 2018, so things have sort of come full circle for Smart.
There should be more driving lanes for Tatum and Brown next season since Porzingis can space the floor with his shooting. When Porzingis goes beyond the 3-point line, he will bring his defender with him, which will create more room in the paint for Tatum and Brown.
However, the Celtics are going to miss Smart’s defense and hustle.
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