Should the Celtics extend Smart’s contract before the October 16th deadline?

I voted wait until the end of the year because I think that's what Smart's camp will want.

It depends on what the extension would be

I voted other because none of the options are ones I would choose.

Marcus is pretty much in an identical situation that KO was going into his 4th year.  I was pretty steadfast in my belief that KO needed a break out year for him to get a new contract.  The Celtics did not extend him because this was in fact a prove it to me year for him.  That proof was not delivered so he is gone now.

If you look at Marcus he has no spike at all in his production.  He is playing on a level plain just like KO did.  No noticeable improvement has been realized.  

This year is critical for him.  Boston is very unlikely to give him an extension before the season.  They are more likely to do another wait and see.

Marcus lost 20 pounds but that is not a reason to extend him, as he is not Jared Sullinger.

He needs to utilize the additional quickness and stamina derived from the weight lost to get up and down the court at both ends.  He needs to use his quickness to free himself up for more drives to the hoop and pull up jumpers.  And unless he comes out on fire from behind the arc, he needs to reduce his 3PFGA in half.

The bottom line is that the Celtics are looking for clearly definable improvement from him.  If he is able to deliver they should be more than willing to resign him after the season where he will be a RFA.  If not he will follow the same path as other FA's that Boston did not wish to retain.

dboss

No rush to sign Smart. See how it goes, see how he fits with the longer term players on the roster, and sign him next summer if you like what you see.

I think Smart is here long term - as you need his toughness on your team. But at most you save yourself a few million if you sign now, which is nothing in the big picture. I see no need to rush in signing him now.

I can't see Smart being on this team after this season. I don't think he shoots consistently enough to warrant a bigger contract. I voted for trading.


KJ

after this year, he will be a RFA

let the market set his price.

we can match any deal.

no need to rush, unless he wants to sign a bargain deal ( he won't).

Smart for roughly $10-11M a year? Not bad. The cap is up so that's basically the going rate now.


KJ

If guys like Turner and KO could get $15 mill Smart should be able to at least equal that.

By waiting the price could go up but also by waiting Boston does not have to commit until they are absolutely sure they want to keep Smart

It's not a bad idea to establish a core group if you're trying to build a long-term contender. IF you value what you see in Smart as he is right now, you extend him now. If you save $1, that's good, and you lower the risk a valuable contributor goes elsewhere, or that you need to overpay to retain him. Besides, it's not like it takes away from your ability to include him in a trade if that does become the best move down the road. I voted to do it.

dboss wrote:If guys like Turner and KO could get $15 mill Smart should be able to at least equal that.

By waiting the price could go up but also by waiting Boston does not have to commit until they are absolutely sure they want to keep Smart

 But on the other hand, what if they are already absolutely sure they want to keep him. Then now is the time to act.

Sort of need to know the terms of the extension.

But if they are reasonable I'd do it.  

Smart is what he is and I doubt we see any great change in his game. Which imho a player like him is needed.  I'd hate to loose him.

Physically he has shown a desire to improve his quickness and speed by dropping the weight. Also apparently little ego in needing to start.  He knows he will get his minutes.


beat

Agree with beat, if he and his agent give a home town discount, sign him now.

Sign him now. We will get him for a better rate than if we let him go to RFA. He may never be elite, but he's good player, a hard worker, and a leader/glue guy that can really help a contender. Also, if we sign him for a reasonable number, he could be a very attractive trade chip down the road (i.e. signing him now is not necessarily committing to him long term).

Agreed we should sign him to a fair, not outrageous contract, always room for a Tony Allen type player on my team.

I agree with Cow; a team always needs a TA type of player. We haven't won it all in decades without one. Smart also seems team-oriented, perhaps in his salary, as well. He's fearless and best under pressure. I wouldn't mortgage the farm, but if it can be done, keeping Smart will help, imho.

15 pts a game, over 50% from the field as well. They're hoping he'll continue to develop and that they got him below his value when he becomes an FA in the summer.

Marcus Smart Says He Hasn't Heard from Celtics About Possible Contract Extension. http://teamstre.am/2wKeVDL

Waiting may cost the Celtics more.  

However they still have control even after thus season.  Boston will be more than willing to pay him big dough if his transformation is complete.

I feel extremely positive about his play and I think he has got it now.  

Dboss

May be best to wait and see the growth of Brown and Smart. The next big long term contract could be between those 2. Tatum's would then coincide from when Horford's current contract ends.

I initially voted yes, but after reading Bob's post about gary harris' contract, and reading about embiid's contract, i am waffling. Depends what we offering. I like the kid, but he is not a star. Might be possible to replace a lot (though not all..) of what he does for short money with another young, hungry player.