After coming one game short of reaching the NBA Finals for a second straight season, the Boston Celtics headed into the offseason knowing that something had to change in order for this team to get over the hump in the postseason.
As a result of Boston being intent on improving their roster this summer, the team made a deal to bring in star forward Kristaps Porzingis in a trade that also resulted in longtime point guard Marcus Smart being sent to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Initially, it was going to be reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon that was traded, as he was expected to be headed to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of this complicated trade scenario.
In the end, it turned out to be Smart that was sent elsewhere, and it appears that the trade came as a big surprise to the veteran guard, who was told he was safe this summer by the franchise, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe via Legion Hoops.
The Celtics told Marcus Smart he was “safe” a week before they traded him to Memphis, per @GwashburnGlobe pic.twitter.com/axnnQanzS2
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 2, 2023
Smart is one year removed from winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, which cemented his legacy as being one of the best defensive-minded guards in the league over the past decade.
Unfortunately, Smart arguably lost a step this past season in Boston, with Derrick White and Brogdon becoming more reliable players when on the basketball floor for the Celtics.
That said, Smart likely became expendable and therefore added to this trade which brought in Porzingis, who is likely viewed as an upgrade for the team.
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