When the Boston Celtics traded Marcus Smart, the NBA world was shocked. Smart has been the heart and soul of this organization for years. Yet, it had to be done. The Celtics needed Kristaps Porzingis more than they needed Smart.
Still, he’s going to leave a void. Smart was the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton. If you’re old enough to have watched Payton play, you’ve got a wealth of NBA knowledge. In relative terms, it’s been a long time since The Glove roamed the NBA.
Arguably, Smart is the best defensive guard in the NBA. On the other hand, if any one guard has a case to be ranked over him, it’s Alex Caruso. Last season, he was the best defensive guard in the NBA by several metrics. Should the Celtics trade for him?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, G Payton Pritchard, 2025 First-Round Pick (BOS)
Boston Celtics Receive: G Lonzo Ball, G/F Alex Caruso
In fact, Smart’s run as a Celtic puts him in rarified air. At one point in NBA history, it was commonplace for players to spend their whole career on one team. Not today. In today’s league, even spending as much time on one team as Smart did on the Celtics is notable.
Look at Payton. He spent almost his entire career on the Seattle Supersonics. When you think of Payton, you picture him in a Sonics jersey. Granted, he spent the end of his career as a journeyman – even winning an NBA title with the Miami Heat. Still, he was a Sonic in the hearts of NBA fans.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
Enough about Payton. Let’s talk about the current guards who are carrying his legacy on. Marcus Smart is on the Memphis Grizzlies. Alex Caruso is on the Chicago Bulls. Should they send him to the Celtics?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
From the Bulls’ perspective, this could be seen as a win-now move or a rebuilding move. With Lonzo Ball set to miss the season due to injury, the Bulls are without a point guard. Here, they’re landing two. Granted, Brogdon is more of a combo guard, but he’s a more natural facilitator than Caruso.
With that said, Brogdon is an injury risk in his own right. That’s fine. The Bulls are still getting Pritchard. If nothing else, he can replicate Ball’s elite floor spacing. At the same time, this deal doesn’t have much to do with either of the incoming players for the Bulls.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
The unprotected first-round pick is the most valuable asset that the Bulls are landing here. This team is a strong candidate to rebuild. If the Bulls choose to do so, they’ll need as much draft capital as possible. Should the Celtics be giving up draft capital?
Why The Boston Celtics Do The Deal
Well, the Celtics won’t be rebuilding any time soon. This team just gave Jaylen Brown a massive extension. The Celtics are in the thick of contention, and they’d have to entertain any deal that makes them a better team.
This deal makes them a better team. Sure, they’ll miss Brogdon’s facilitating to an extent – if he’s even healthy, that is. That’s part of the calculus for Boston here. Brogdon is widely seen as an injury risk, and Boston is avoiding that risk here.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
They’d also be acquiring the best player in this deal. If Boston was able to trade Smart and instantly replace him, they’d be in tremendous shape. By adding Caruso, the Celtics would be positioning themselves for a title run. If they win a championship, don’t forget the impact that Marcus Smart had on this team’s culture.
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