Marcus Smart's return to Boston never projected to happen like this.
When the Celtics traded Smart to Memphis as part of the larger deal that sent Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston from Washington, Boston landing a pair of first-round picks for their long-time point guard, Brad Stevens took some solace in the difficult decision knowing Smart landed with a winning team. Smart also seemed to fit the Grizzlies' longstanding hard-nosed profile and while a Finals series between the two teams appeared improbable, especially with Ja Morant suspended 25 games, Memphis had finished second in the west for each of the past two seasons. Entering Sunday -- they rank 13th at 18-31.
Smart's second major injury (finger) of the year eliminated any chance he'll face his former Celtics team until 2024-25, and while he plans to travel to Boston for what'll inevitably be a warm reception, both his former teammates and the Celtics' fans have moved on. It's the quick shift that gave both Joe Mazzulla and Stevens confidence that the trade would work despite concerns about the lost leadership, defense and intense accountability that Smart provided. Boston is 37-12, atop the NBA standings, Jrue Holiday joined the roster in a surprise trade ahead of training camp to provide many of Smart's elements, while a renewed focus on defense sparked by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's emphasis on that side of the ball over the summer made his contributions a memory rather than remorse. When raised -- as the inevitable tribute video on Sunday will -- the good moments resonate among his teammates and fans who learned to love him.
"When it was 77-71 (against the Lakers), when we got that loose ball ... you really felt that. I appreciate that and know and trust that they'll continue to do that ... I think there will be a little extra emotion (on Sunday)," Mazzulla said at practice on Saturday. "Just because of how Smart has been able to impact the community and impact the Garden so many times. So hopefully during a timeout, I don't know if his hand still hurts, but he can dive on the floor for a loose ball and roll one out."
Those winning plays, which Smart largely dubbed with a blank canvas in front of he and Stevens in 2014 after the big three's departure, defined his Boston tenure as that hard-playing style drove an ascending cast of unsung Celtics into an unexpected playoff appearance during his rookie season. They made the playoffs each ensuing season, and though his role almost immediately became ancillary with Isaiah Thomas' arrival that winter, the first of three star point guards he'd team up with, leaders on the offensive end allowed him to focus on the defensive side of the ball.
As the league became more based around switching screens and playing multiple positions defensively, Smart proved a perfect fit, sometimes guarding centers. One of his first highlight plays as a rookie involved diving to the floor for a loose ball alongside the Nets' Kevin Garnett. The former C's tone-setter stood up and gave Smart a smack on the behind in acknowledgment. Smart taking on Porziņģis, the Knicks' rookie sensation, the following year became his next memorable moment. Most fans point to his consecutive charge takes in a 2018 win over Houston on James Harden that sealed a comeback win as his most famous plays. Others include his intentional free throw misses at the end of several games that led to game-tying shots.
"I've always said you don't replace a guy like him," Mazzulla said. "You just find different ways to be able to do it. Who he is will always be etched into the city of Boston, because of what he's done with the community service and then what he's done here. Just helping represent and give. I think he's one of the guys that started our defensive foundation before I got here, because of his ability to compete at a high level, to defend at a high and execute different coverages. Like I said, who he is off the court and what he brings from a mindset standpoint and a defensive intensity standpoint. It'll be good to see him."
Nobody questioned Smart's motor, defensive skills and mind, while his community work stands alongside any other Celtic in recent memory. He never relented speaking his mind though, for better and worse. Brown and Tatum both responded to his critique of their passing in crunch time to begin the 2021-22 season as not totally necessary. Brown spoke candidly in Memphis earlier this season saying he couldn't stand Smart when he arrived to Boston as a rookie in 2016. Over time, they grew close, Brown flying to Smart's mother's funeral in 2018 and embracing that collective accountability and tough talk by the end of Ime Udoka's lone season in 2022. That group, however often they butted heads, gelled through a defensive identity and nearly won the Finals after going ahead, 2-1, over the Warriors before squandering the series. Smart called that series his greatest regret as a Celtic.
Boston traded for Malcolm Brogdon the following offseason, complicating matters in the backcourt under a rookie head coach in Mazzulla. Brogdon sacrificed and took the bench spot to begin the year, but later lamented the difficulty of taking a back seat. Derrick White, quietly proving to be the best of the three players this season, mostly sat in crunch time in favor of Brogdon and Smart. The Celtics suffered in crunch time, with Al Horford and Smart led to take the most shot attempts in crunch time as opposing defenses funneled the ball away from Brown and Tatum in crunch time. Boston finished 5-6 in clutch finishes, getting outscored by 11.4 points per 100 possessions in those situations last postseason. Smart took 14 crunch time shots, hitting eight, Horford hit 4-of-10, Brown took seven attempts, White only managed one -- his iconic Game 6 put-back in Miami.
"When Smart got traded, it was a shock," White said on J.J. Redick's podcast. "There's going to be a lot more opportunity and I'm gonna have to step up with the ball in my hands compared to last year. When we brought Jrue along, we still need you to be the same, aggressive, the same as we envisioned it before we got Jrue ... (he's) been the ultimate teammate. If I got it going, he's willing to just stay in the corner, space the floor for us and make a play whenever he needs to. Just having a guy like that, who's willing to do that, is an all-star in the league, just kind of gives me the trust to make a play, it unlocks my game a little bit ... (but) you still gotta have that irrational confidence. That's what I learned from Smart since I've been with the Celtics. Anything he does, he just got the confidence, he'll succeed, whether he needs to or not. Learning that ... when the opportunity comes and the team needs you to make a play, you're not nervous about it. Or, I don't want to step on anybody's toes, no, you're in the NBA for a reason ... whenever it's your turn to make a play or the team needs you to make a play, you just gotta be ready to do it, knowing who you are, knowing what you do."
Weeks after the trade, Smart remained in Boston fulfilling obligations for his children's camp, a summer tournament his clothing brand hosted and trying to organize a move from the only city he knew for nine years. The trade came as a shock, his fiancée Maisa waking him up in the middle of the night to a call from his agent that he joined the final Porziņģis deal. While not blaming the team for doing what they felt necessary, he revealed that he'd been told he was good and no trade was coming, his only point of frustration with how the deal went down. Later that summer, Stevens, Mazzulla and numerous former teammates attended his wedding in Los Angeles -- an informal reconciliation and goodbye. Smart always suspected he'd eventually get traded, Brown and Tatum wouldn't be the team's first choice for change, he said, but the timing caught him off guard. Grizzlies GM Zack Kleiman later confirmed Smart's suspicion that the Celtics probably had the deal in their back pocket before the original Brogdon construction of the Porziņģis trade fell apart, revealing that he'd had discussions and previous interest in acquiring Smart from Boston.
Smart left the Celtics 19th all-time in games played, 11th in assists, fourth in steals, 15th in rebounds, third in three-point attempts and fifth in made threes. His 11 threes against the Suns in 2020 remain a franchise mark, the upside to his ultra-confident approach that enamored and frustrated fans simultaneously. In many respects, Smart became the most divisive Celtic in modern team history, with his ardent supporters and detractors almost evenly at odds. Both came away surprised by his departure, and the big move without a doubt sent a message to the remaining members of the team of the stakes ahead in the coming seasons for the talented roster. It's not on Smart anymore, Brown and Tatum recognized, with and if they fall short of the ultimate goal, he can no longer take the fall. Tatum, in his first social media reaction to the deal, promised he'll reunite with Smart one day and win a title.
"I love him now," Brown said earlier this season in Memphis. "It be like that sometimes. As you grow and mature as young men, you learns things about people, you learn about why people are the way they are, the stuff that goes on behind closed doors. Overall, if you get to learn people a lot more in this world, you can understand the perspective somebody might be speaking from and you can relate to a lot of the issues, and then the healing processes can start. I feel like that's the thing in our world. Nobody gets to know anybody and that's why people are at ends with each other. Me and Marcus, we didn't start off great. I wasn't the biggest fan of Marcus when I first got to Boston, (for) a plethora of reasons, you name it, but over time, I realized me and Marcus have similar spirits. If I was going to war with anybody, Marcus would be one of my first phone calls."
Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...
Atlanta (21-27): Hold the 10th and final postseason spot ahead of the Nets by 1.5 games, but reportedly remain willing to talk about trades for Dejounte Murray, De'Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin and Clint Capela. Jake Fischer added that the organization values Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic most into the future. The Hawks visit the Celtics on Wednesday in their final games before Thursday's deadline at 3 p.m.
Boston (37-12): Squandered a double-digit lead to the Pelicans and Pacers in games they eventually won after the Clippers' 21-0 run resulted in their worst loss of the season. They reached a new low on Thursday against a Lakers team resting LeBron James and Anthony Davis, trailing by double-digits throughout in their third straight loss at home following their record 20-0 start at TD Garden. Joe Mazzulla downplayed concerns about the recent slip in play, while two practices are in store across five days where the team will only play one game. Luke Kornet (hamstring) missed three straight games. Jaylen Brown joined Jayson Tatum as the team's representatives for this month's All-Star Game. All remains quiet on the trade rumor front.
Brooklyn (19-28): Ben Simmons returned from a 38-game absence to score 10 points with eight rebounds and 11 assists before suffering a knee contusion and missing Kevin Durant's first return to Brooklyn with the Suns. Simmons is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Durant shrugged off any what-ifs that remained from his Nets tenure, asking the team to not play a video tribute before embracing it when they eventually did. Durant poured 33 points and eight assists on his former team that continues its slide, though reportedly has no plans to trade Mikal Bridges. Look for Dorian Finney-Smith to move if the team gets blown away with offers, with his former Mavericks and the Kings intrigued by adding him, per Fischer.
Kevin Durant received a video tribute and was cheered by fans in his return against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. pic.twitter.com/VeSV3vcbr7
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 1, 2024
Charlotte (10-37): Their selloff should continue this week, with the Suns increasingly interested in trading for Miles Bridges while other players further down the roster like PJ Washington and Nick Richards gather interest. The Hornets also have interest in moving Gordon Hayward and Kyle Lowry in the final years of their contracts before the deadline, but look for both to become buyout candidates to join non-apron teams only following the deadline.
"In Charlotte, you're kinda used to losing," Terry Rozier said following his trade last from Charlotte last month. "It's in the DNA, and it sucks to say that because of how much of a competitor I am. But over here, it's the total opposite. Nobody wants to lose. Nobody is fine with it."
Dallas (26-22): Kyle Kuzma is a name emerging in more trade rumors leading up to the deadline and the Mavericks reportedly like the idea of adding the Wizard star. It'd cost the team a high salary slot, but between contracts like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Richaun Holmes', the team holds significant matching power. Dallas also eyed Pascal Siakam and Jerami Grant, Fischer reported, signaling their interest in a big wing. PJ Washington, Dorian Finney-Smith and Andrew Wiggins all carry some level of attention from the Mavericks into deadline day as they monitor a wide array of potential additions.
Denver (34-16): Nikola Jokic become the odds-on MVP favorite on his way to his 15th triple-double of the season on Friday following the report that Joel Embiid suffered a torn meniscus. The injury will inevitably eliminate Embiid, the previous favorite, from contention for back-to-back recognition after the new NBA CBA mandated at least 65 games played to become eligible for awards. Jokic, who posted 27 points, 22 rebounds and 12 assists against Portland, has only missed two games. Denver will likely have a quiet trade deadline despite rumors of interest in a Bruce Brown reunion.
Detroit (6-42): A Zach LaVine trade would come as some shock for the rebuilding Pistons, but with money to move, the guard's value reaching rock bottom and a young roster showing few steps, they might say why not? They said the same thing when they traded for Blake Griffin in 2017-18, who played on a similarly massive contract while carrying injury concerns that eventually ended the contract in a buyout. It's a cautionary tale they have to consider as they assess how to best utilize Bojan Bogdanovic, Monté Morris and Joe Harris' salaries now or later. Isaiah Stewart (ankle) and Mike Muscala (concussion) will miss time to begin February.
Golden State (21-24): Will not trade Klay Thompson or Draymond Green despite sitting 0.5 games back of the west playoff picture over halfway through the season, according to Brian Windhorst. The team's struggles could lead to a Chris Paul or Andrew Wiggins trade though, with Paul out at least two more weeks following hand surgery and Wiggins struggling immensely this season. Steve Kerr sounded averse to trades, stressing patience.
“We’re not going to find better players than (Chris Paul and Gary Payton II) in a trade,” he said. “It’s exceedingly rare to make a deal where you can upgrade your talent to that level.”
Houston (23-25): Tied for the 10th and final west playoff spot with the Jazz, and made a move for next season by trading Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks to the Grizzlies for Steven Adams on Thursday. Memphis ruled Adams out for the entire 2023-24 season at the end of training camp after discovering a knee injury following what seemed like a smooth ramp-up from injuries that also derailed his 2022-23 year. He turns 30 next season and is owed $12.6 million for each of the next two seasons, seemingly unable to play in the front court with Alperen Şengün and casting some doubt over Jock Landale's future with the team ahead of three non-guaranteed seasons ahead in his contract. Oladipo's (knee) $9.5-million deal expires this summer. He's currently recovering from April knee surgery.
Indiana (27-23): Lost three straight following Rick Carlisle's comments in Boston about their success being fragile and not wanting to write any feel-good stories about their surprising start. Tyrese Haliburton led a 20-point comeback midway through their eventual loss to the Celtics, serving 10 assists before sitting the entire fourth quarter to continue his hamstring management. He remained limited to 22 minutes in losses to the Knicks and Kings. Aaron Nesmith had arguably his finest game as a pro against his former Boston team, scoring 26 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists on 11-of-17 shooting. Pascal Siakam led a strong rebounding effort that night, grabbing four of Indiana's 19 offensive boards in an effort that bothered the Celtics.
Clippers (32-15): Their winning ways continued with three more across four games in the middle of their massive seven-game east coast swing for the Grammys that'll end when they leave the Crypto.com Arena for the Intuit Dome next year. Kawhi Leonard's stellar night in Boston alongside solid switching that stymied the Celtics' offense to 96 points on 25% three-point shooting impressed given that the Clippers shot 25% from deep too. After the James Harden trade set of their streak of 15 wins over their last 18 games, only expect deals involving PJ Tucker, Bones Hyland or Brandon Boston.
Lakers (25-25): D'Angelo Russell's 14 assists and win over the Celtics, part of his continued strong burst of play amid trade rumors, won't quiet the talk down until Thursday. The Lakers will clearly monitor moves large and small to improve, especially after losing Jared Vanderbilt to a foot injury. The defensive big who has often started next to Anthony Davis will miss at least several weeks, and possibly longer depending on further evaluation, according to ESPN. Gabe Vincent's contract could also be used in negotiations this week in the middle of his first injury-plagued season with the team. Brian Windhorst reported that LeBron James isn't going anywhere this year, despite frustrations with their playing mounting and Twitter posts flying.
Memphis (18-31): Losers of four straight entering Boston on Sunday with Marcus Smart (finger), Xavier Tillman (knee), Ziare Williams (hand), Jake LaRavia (ankle), Desmond Bane (ankle), Ja Morant (shoulder) and Brandon Clarke (achilles) down, effectively ending their season. Smart did not play against his former team this season and has only appeared in 20 contests. The Lakers and Bucks reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Smart, but the Grizzlies do not have any interest in moving on with two years left on his deal for an average annual value of $20.7 million. Tillman has also drawn interest, making $1.9 million in the final season of his contract before entering his first free agency. John Konchar is another popular trade name.
Miami (26-23): Held a team meeting led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, per Shams Charania, before the Heat ended their seven-game losing streak that sunk them in the east standings. Butler led their win over the Kings with 31 points before adding 24 more to top the Wizards. They're currently seventh in the east, 0.5 games behind the Pacers and in a tie with the Magic ahead of the Bulls by 3.0 games.
Milwaukee (32-16): The Doc Rivers era began with two losses to the Nuggets and Trail Blazers, with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo's late comeback attempt in the guard's first game back in Portland falling short. Complaints about the defense, particularly in transition, continued from Rivers as their priority entering the deadline will clearly focus on defense. Rivers 'changed a lot' at practice Saturday and added a new coach. They're among the teams connected to Nets wing Dorian Finney-Smith, with only second-round picks to offer alongside bench players.
Minnesota (34-15): Don't need much tied atop the west but a solidifying move for their bench like returning Tyus Jones to the team from Washington would move the needle in such a tightly-packed west and provide some injury insurance in their back court. The Wizards initially asked for a high price, Fischer wrote, but could reportedly end up settling for a pair of second round picks for the veteran guard. Minnesota has also considered Monté Morris and Bones Hyland from Detroit and LA in its guard search. Anthony Edwards made his second all-star appearance as a reserve pick.
New Orleans (28-21): Eyeing front court defense as they enter trade deadline week in a tie with the Suns for the sixth seed above the play-in line. Health remains key to what's becoming a relatively successful season, pushing the Celtics to the brink this week with a flurry of Zion Williamson baskets before he faltered to a 1-for-5 finish. They could trade the Lakers' first-round pick that's currently No. 14 overall or defer it to 2025. Pelicans targets Wendell Carter Jr. and Mikal Bridges could draw significant offers from New Orleans, but neither appear to be available this week.
New York (32-17): Pulled within 1.0 game of the Bucks for the east's second seed and only 5.0 games back of Boston as their midseason tear continued despite Julius Randle suffering a scary right shoulder injury earlier this week. Randle avoided a more serious ailment but did receive a 2-3 week prognosis before further evaluation, effectively eliminating him from this month's All Star Game. Kristaps Porziņģis could benefit from Randle and Joel Embiid's likely absences as a top injury replacement choice for either. Porziņģis last made the all-star team with the Knicks in 2018. Jalen Brunson also received recognition as a reserve guard choice, his first. Klutch Sports' Rich Paul and New York's front office reportedly hashed out long-running issues.
Orlando (26-23): Above .500, in a tie for the east's seventh seed past the halfway point, will send an all-star to Indianapolis in Paolo Banchero and few are talking about them entering the deadline. They've rebuffed large interest in Wendell Carter Jr., signaling no major selloff here, but would they trade players further down the roster? Would they try to add? Jonathan Isaac would bring immense value defensively to a bench, but makes $17.5 million this year and next, albeit with no guarantee for 2025 until that January. Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris become free agents after this year, as could Joe Ingles with a second-year team option.
Philadelphia (30-17): Joel Embiid injured his meniscus, with timelines ranging from weeks to months depending on the treatment. Shams Charania stressed that the 76ers haven't officially confirmed a tear or any treatment plan. The injury alongside ongoing knee pain that sidelined him in recent weeks effectively eliminates him from MVP contention and threatens what's been a highly successful first season under Nick Nurse. The Sixers have long remained patient in replacing James Harden with the assets they returned from the Clippers, and Embiid's status only further complicates that process. The NBA fined the 76ers for announcing Embiid would miss the Nuggets game prior to the injury at tip-off, squandering his matchup with Nikola Jokic.
Phoenix (28-21): They've won 7-of-10 and finally achieved full health between their big three, Kevin Durant's return to Brooklyn marking the 17th game alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, surpassing the games he played with Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Adding Miles Bridges would intrigue from a talent standpoint, while raising obvious questions about his character and how they'd even acquire him. Though Bridges will become a free agent this summer and reports have pointed toward him inevitably leaving the Hornets, Phoenix can only offer up to four second-round picks likely to convey.
Portland (15-34): Malcolm Brogdon helped spoil Damian Lillard's return to Portland after Brogdon, who landed with the Blazers in between the Lillard and Jrue Holiday trades this summer, expressed no interest in a trade away from the Blazers this week. That reportedly appears increasingly unlikely anyway ahead of the second and final year of Brogdon's contract in 2024-25. He's helped them navigate the first year of their rebuild alongside Scoot Henderson and shared with The Athletic that he feels valued in Portland, unlike his last stop. That, of course, being the Boston Celtics.
"I was there for a year, won Sixth Man of the Year, and they shipped me out," Brogdon said. "So like … I didn’t feel very valued there. Here, I feel valued. Portland has embraced me. And I’ve enjoyed being coached by Chauncey (Billups).’’