Marcus Smart, hard-working Celtics guard, sure to draw interest

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2018/06/bulpett_marcus_smart_hard_working_celtics_guard_sure_to_draw_interest



Bulpett: Marcus Smart, hard-working Celtics guard, sure to draw interest



Steve Bulpett Sunday, June 10, 2018






Credit: Christopher Evans
Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart celebrates during the in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday, May 13, 2018. Staff photo by Christopher Evans




There’s been a stray question here and there over the past couple of years, but the inquiries became more frequent and more pointed as the calendar turned to 2018.

What have you heard about Marcus Smart away from the court?

What kind of guy is he with his teammates?

How is he to you guys (media)?

Does he stay after practice and work?

Opposing scouts and personnel people higher on organizational charts wanted to know. They wanted as much information as possible.

That’s generally been my indication over the years that a player is available in a trade, but that wasn’t so much the case here as February’s deadline approached. As one GM put it, “He’s too valuable to Boston anyway, but you could never give them what they’d be looking for when the guy’s going to be a free agent.”

In this case, Smart will be a restricted free agent, which gives the Celtics the opportunity to match any offer he receives in the marketplace. But this is more what the opponents had — and have — in mind.

And therein lies the who-knows-how-many-million-dollar question. Teams are wondering what they can offer that the Celts won’t match, but they’re also wondering how much is too much.

Danny Ainge is obviously hoping that the gold rush of recent years has dried up to a large extent and that Smart won’t attract a crazy bid. The prevailing thinking around the NBA is that there won’t be any Evan Turner deals (four years/$70 million) flying around.

Especially — and, again, this is Ainge’s hope — not for a guy with career shooting percentages of .360 overall and .293 from 3-point range.

But, analytics be damned, everyone seems to covet a guy like Smart who plays so hard and brings out the same in his teammates. It’s apparently not hard for even some of the top teams to picture the spark that Smart could give their rotation.

But how much will those teams have to spend, and how much can they commit to Smart?

And are they willing to, like Brad Stevens and the Celts, accept Smart’s shot selection and accuracy issues?

One thing’s for certain; Marcus isn’t going to change. While the odds are still that he will remain a Celtic, it’s a lock that, if he does, the vocal anxiety of the fans with his shot will continue.

Smart told the Herald he’s well aware of the groans and involuntary (and voluntary) vocal harmony of “N-o-o-o-o-” that arises from the Garden seating area as he lines up a trey.

“And it’s funny,” he told us, “because those same people that yell when I shoot it are the same ones that are saying, ‘We need you.’ And then the next time I shoot, I guess they don’t need me. So, I mean, it is what it is.

“I know what I’m worth. This team knows what I’m worth. And people who really know basketball know the type of player I am. So I’m not really worried about those other guys who are fake fans or bandwagon fans or into the popularity game.

“I know the NBA is about popularity, and I know I’m not a popular guy. My game isn’t popular. I’m not a flashy guy. I’m not trying to cross you over three or four times and make you fall. I’m trying to play right basketball, and that’s get my teammates involved whenever I need to.

“And whenever I’m open, I’m going to take the shot, because that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life, and this team gives me the opportunity to do that — and I have the confidence to do it. My shots are going to fall. I’m not really worried about it.”

Smart went on to point out that his late-season shooting (.336 overall, .221 on treys) was hindered by the splint for the thumb injury sustained when he crashed the floor for a loose ball against the Pacers in March.

“And I came back like two months earlier than I should have,” he said.

Hard to argue any of that, but we will take issue with the notion that his game isn’t popular. Playing as hard and selfless as Smart does is a skill, particularly when you do it as consistently as Smart. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that, shooting numbers notwithstanding, fans identify with him. He is more popular among Greenhearts than some of his mates with bigger talent.

And he’s very popular, too, among those who would steal him away from the Celtics.


bob



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I think he doth protest too much. It is obvious what Brad and his teammates think of him. He was talked about constantly in his absence. If only Marcus was here......If we only had Marcus to defend ???....Marcus is a player every team loves to have per Brad Stevens.

My bet is he gets his money. As far as what kind of a guy he was? I think the entire Celtics team and management likes, really likes Marcus.

I bumped into Jamie Young this morning. congratulated him on a great season and begged him to tell Kyrie to stop talking!!!!!!! He laughed and told me not to worry about that talking!!! Still I am not happy about talk about thing that will not happen this year unless DA feels he will walk next year. In that case, he will be gone before he can say February!!!!

I am still waiting to here about this team or that team being interested and how much.

I am pretty confident that the Celtics will retain his services on the cheap.

I see Indiana, San Antonio possibly being in the hunt, but I have no idea who has the $$$$ to pay him. Orlando was also mentioned as a spot. Too early to get a read on this as they cannot openly court a player until July 1, which is not too far away

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I see Indiana, San Antonio possibly being in the hunt, but I have no idea who has the $$$$ to pay him. Orlando was also mentioned as a spot.  Too early to get a read on this as they cannot openly court a player until July 1, which is not too far away

Rosalie I believe neither Indy or the Spurs have the cap space to sign Marcus. They may be able to utilize the MLE.

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If Thaddeus Young does indeed opt-out before June 29, Indiana could have $23M in room heading into the offseason. The room takes into account guaranteeing Bojan Bogdanovic, Darren Collison, Al Jefferson and Lance Stephenson. All four have partial/non-guaranteed contracts.



bob
MY NOTE:  Marcus Smart?



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If they can go after him, I bet they will. But, how much is too much???

Bob Indy can create some cap space. Al Jefferson for example or Young if he signs elsewhere.

But I really do not see them using it on a defensive player.  Their biggest need is probably at the point and guys like IT and maybe Payton could be a good bargain.  They also need a wing that can play off the ball and score.

I would be very surprused if Smart gets a look by them.  A lot depends on team needs.  

I have been searching for a team that could take Smart away but I cannot find one yet. I doubt Indy is one of them.

Every team in the league would love to have Marcus Smart for what he brings to his team just about every game even if he is not a good shooter.

The question is how much is any team willing to pay him for his contributions without him showing yet that he can be even an average shooter.

If he had been a free agent two summers ago he certainly would have been able to get a contract very similar to maybe four years and 70 to 75 M. In 2018, he will not get that type of contract as most teams do not have money like Turner got.

He should get a good raise, and I hope that he returns to Boston because he will be nearly impossible to replace.

IF Danny thinks Smart may leave, watch fro Danny drafting Josh Okogie at #27.

He is Smart-like on defense, but also on offense now as well. Which means he'd be a possible CHEAP replacement for Smart on a rookie deal.

Just something to watch for on draft night. But I think IF Okogie is the pick, it means Smart is likely gone this year or next.

kdp59 wrote:IF  Danny thinks Smart may leave, watch fro Danny drafting Josh Okogie at #27.

He is Smart-like on defense, but also on offense now as well. Which means he'd be a possible CHEAP replacement for Smart on a rookie deal.

Just something to watch for on draft night. But I think IF Okogie is the pick, it means Smart is likely gone this year or next.

There you go.  This kid is another Georgia boy grew up not far from my house.  He has a high Basketball IQ.

He is very athletic and gets after it on defense.  (1.8 steals per)  is an excellent rebounder 6.3 per game, shot well from deep (38%)  and 82% from the line.  He also measured wingspan of 7', T first in maximum vertical. He is an elite athlete.

Real nice prospect.

official GA tech highlight reel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEVGswKurcY

Drafting Williams may very well impact Boston's ability to resign Marcus Smart.

The Celtics may decide not to resign Baynes.  The Celtics cannot stay under the luxury tax threshold if they sign Smart to a $12 million contract and also sign Baynes.

Williams will cost around $1.4 million.  

Sooner or later Boston will become a tax payer and if they can avoid doing that for another year it will help.

I think if Smart gets an offer north of $12 million, Boston will let him walk and then probably do an extension on Terry before October this year.

Drafting Williams is really a positive sign that Boston will keep Marcus.

dboss wrote:Drafting Williams may very well impact Boston's ability to resign Marcus Smart.

The Celtics may decide not to resign Baynes.  The Celtics cannot stay under the luxury tax threshold if they sign Smart to a $12 million contract and also sign Baynes.

Williams will cost around $1.4 million.  

Sooner or later Boston will become a tax payer and if they can avoid doing that for another year it will help.

I think if Smart gets an offer north of $12 million, Boston will let him walk and then probably do an extension on Terry before October this year.

Drafting Williams is really a positive sign that Boston will keep Marcus.

I suggest that we trade Marcus Morris for a conditional second round pick and a traded player exception.  That should remove $5M off the books and keep us out of the luxury tax.

That will allow us to overpay slightly for Smart and postpone the luxury tax for another season.  Morris is a good player on a great contract.  Some team, preferably out west, will take him.

I don't know anything about the cap, the money, etc. but I have seen comments that lead me to believe Morris may be on the market. By getting rid of him, it will open up the time during games for more Theis????
Maybe this would not happen if Smart leaves, but I really wonder what is going on with this.

I do not see the Celtics keeping Morris after next year when his contract is up. I am sure he will want the kind of money that the Celtics will not be willing to pay

gyso wrote:

dboss wrote:Drafting Williams may very well impact Boston's ability to resign Marcus Smart.

The Celtics may decide not to resign Baynes.  The Celtics cannot stay under the luxury tax threshold if they sign Smart to a $12 million contract and also sign Baynes.

Williams will cost around $1.4 million.  

Sooner or later Boston will become a tax payer and if they can avoid doing that for another year it will help.

I think if Smart gets an offer north of $12 million, Boston will let him walk and then probably do an extension on Terry before October this year.

Drafting Williams is really a positive sign that Boston will keep Marcus.

I suggest that we trade Marcus Morris for a conditional second round pick and a traded player exception.  That should remove $5M off the books and keep us out of the luxury tax.

That will allow us to overpay slightly for Smart and postpone the luxury tax for another season.  Morris is a good player on a great contract.  Some team, preferably out west, will take him.

GYSO

You would actually be trading him for Avery Bradley and a second road pick in exchange for a condition 2nd rounder and a traded player exception.

The Celtics should not offer Smart too much.  i think $12 million is on the high side for him.  I cannot see Boston trading Morris just so they have enough money to overpay Smart.

So Bradley + Morris + 2nd Rounder is significantly more than conditional 2nd rounder + trade exception.

dboss wrote:

gyso wrote:

dboss wrote:Drafting Williams may very well impact Boston's ability to resign Marcus Smart.

The Celtics may decide not to resign Baynes.  The Celtics cannot stay under the luxury tax threshold if they sign Smart to a $12 million contract and also sign Baynes.

Williams will cost around $1.4 million.  

Sooner or later Boston will become a tax payer and if they can avoid doing that for another year it will help.

I think if Smart gets an offer north of $12 million, Boston will let him walk and then probably do an extension on Terry before October this year.

Drafting Williams is really a positive sign that Boston will keep Marcus.

I suggest that we trade Marcus Morris for a conditional second round pick and a traded player exception.  That should remove $5M off the books and keep us out of the luxury tax.

That will allow us to overpay slightly for Smart and postpone the luxury tax for another season.  Morris is a good player on a great contract.  Some team, preferably out west, will take him.

GYSO

You would actually be trading him for Avery Bradley and a second road pick in exchange for a condition 2nd rounder and a traded player exception.

The Celtics should not offer Smart too much.  i think $12 million is on the high side for him.  I cannot see Boston trading Morris just so they have enough money to overpay Smart.

So Bradley + Morris + 2nd Rounder is significantly more than conditional 2nd rounder + trade exception.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.  Avery Bradley (and Kelly Olynyk, for what it is worth) were casualties of the Gordon Hayward signing.  Bradley had to go and Olynyk had to be renounced to fit Hayward into the cap as a free agent.  It was the cost of doing business.

Either Bradley or Crowder were gone, for sure.  Bradley was due for a raise.  We got a fair return for him and Morris earned his keep in the regular season.  Once we got into the playoffs, he failed to maintain his value.  In other words, he sucked.

There are two goals here.  Only two goals.  To contend for a championship and to stay under the luxury tax one more season.  Morris is redundant on our team now and by letting him go this season to be a starter somewhere else is a win-win.  He is in a contract year and he isn't going to be happy here coming off the bench in garbage time.  Why not let him leave Boston with a good taste in his mouth?

You focus so much on what Smart is worth that perhaps you forget that the ends in this case justify the means.  Smart's value to our team going forward is more important than trying to maintain value from transactions of the past.

Gyso

The market will establish his value and given the recent report about Dallas that value likely went up.

dboss wrote:Bob Indy can create some cap space. Al Jefferson for example or Young if he signs elsewhere.

But I really do not see them using it on a defensive player.  Their biggest need is probably at the point and guys like IT and maybe Payton could be a good bargain.  They also need a wing that can play off the ball and score.

I would be very surprused if Smart gets a look by them.  A lot depends on team needs.  

I have been searching for a team that could take Smart away but I cannot find one yet. I doubt Indy is one of them.

I haven’t. I’d like to see him stay.

There are two high profile FA remaining.  This first round of signings impacts the number of teams that still have the money to be players in free agency.

The next round of signing will be MLE level deals and QO for restricted free agents.

This is a sad state of affairs for guys like Thomas and Avery Bradley.  They may do well to sign one year deals and test the market again next year.  Both are coming off of injury riddled seasons.

There are a lot of guards available.  That factor depresses the value of those players.  Marcus finds himself competing for the same reduced dollars as other players that may be more attractive to teams.

Given that Smart relies on his defense to make a case for his value limits his opportunities.  Those intangibles that we talk about may have less value to other teams than they do to Boston.  The metrics with Smart in Boston may not be the same with other teams.  

Things are sure to play out in Boston's favor.  The Celtics have the space to match a MLE level offer to Smart.  However they may be reluctant to match a multi-year offer that would likely impact their ability to keep Terry Rozier.

In my mind the Celtics will be tax payers next year regardless of which player they move forward with.

For this year Marcus may be forced to sign his QO.  That would add around $3 million to the payroll for next year including the modest Baynes raise.  Williams at #27 is a cheap addition.  Boston can stay under the Tax and probably still add another player.

This also gives Boston another look see year before they have to decide on keeping Terry Rozier.

Are we overvaluing Smart because he makes so many gritty like plays? If he was playing on another not so talented team, would he be able to effect winning with his obvious flaws? or on another less talented team, would he be a version of Kenny Faried? Also old friend Avery Bradley plays hellacious defense, is a little smaller, but is a much better shooter, playing with all this talent, coming off the bench, could his game help as much or more?

Williams would help out Aveey's D.

worcester wrote:Williams would help out Aveey's D.

I think Williams potentially helps out everybody’s D

Has anyone made an offer or is it too soon???

Some of that money is just not there this year thanks to the overspending done by teams a couple of years ago. he may think he is worth more than $12-14 million but I just don't see that happening unless there is one team that can swoop in with crazy money that Danny won't match.

I have been wondering about Avery myself, it may be something that Danny would consider if things go a little nuts

I know there’s guys like Ryan Anderson, Chandler Parsons and Evan Turner that are getting mad overpaid and Smart brings way more game to a team than them, but right now money may not be there for an impact borderline starter/rotation player...???