Smart Move: Keep or Say Goodbye to Marcus?

JakeRae

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Ryan Bernardoni tweeted the following a couple of days ago:

"I think Smart is going to sign an extension.
His max allowed extension would end up in his being signed for five seasons at $91.4M total. Considering he's likely our starting PG, fits well with Jayson and Jaylen, and is an elite defender who isn't afraid to touch the ball in playoff games... that's totally fine.
All that being said, this would close off the path to max cap space. While I think that path is a non-starter anyway and so that doesn't concern me, others disagree and think it's worth at least keeping open as a possibility. "
I'm guessing that if Smart signs for $90M, this board will explode.

View: https://twitter.com/dangercart/status/1407780303767228421
This would be a great move.
 

Cellar-Door

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There is no reason to sign him for 5 years.
To keep the AAV down would be my guess. They don't want to pay him more than around 18M per year average, he could probably get a better deal as a FA in terms of AAV.
I do think depending how it's structured, year 5 on that could be rough, but at the same time he'll turn 33 in his last year, he could age fine.
I also think Marcus on that contract would be pretty moveable, probably even a positive trade asset.
$18M AAV puts him in the group of: Capela, Bogdanovic(x2), Anunoby, Derrick White, Schroeder.... so that's a pretty fair price for him. There are probably still questions about what you think you're getting in terms of a decline curve, but 5/90 at most is reasonable. Less than that is probably good value.
 

nighthob

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I thought contract extensions were limited to no more than five years from the date of signing? Meaning that with one year left it has to be a four year extension?
 

Cesar Crespo

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To keep the AAV down would be my guess. They don't want to pay him more than around 18M per year average, he could probably get a better deal as a FA in terms of AAV.
I do think depending how it's structured, year 5 on that could be rough, but at the same time he'll turn 33 in his last year, he could age fine.
I also think Marcus on that contract would be pretty moveable, probably even a positive trade asset.
$18M AAV puts him in the group of: Capela, Bogdanovic(x2), Anunoby, Derrick White, Schroeder.... so that's a pretty fair price for him. There are probably still questions about what you think you're getting in terms of a decline curve, but 5/90 at most is reasonable. Less than that is probably good value.
6 more years of Marcus Smart just seems very excessive and unnecessary.

And he had a down year. I'd rather see him rebound before re-signing him.
 

lexrageorge

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I thought contract extensions were limited to no more than five years from the date of signing? Meaning that with one year left it has to be a four year extension?
Yeah, I'm guessing the reporter didn't check his friendly CBA FAQ first:

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q58

Veteran extensions are limited to five seasons, including the seasons remaining on the current contract. Even if the extension is signed in late June, the current, almost concluded season counts as one full season toward the total, reducing the number of new seasons to four.
Still, there are tea leaves on how highly Brad thinks of Smart. Between this story, and the report that Stevens checked with Smart before hiring Udoka, I think we have our answer, and it's probably a higher value than most here on this board would place on him.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Locking in Smart long-term is a good move given this team's trajectory, assuming he isn't the chemistry problem for the team that some here were thinking. They are going to need his skillset as long as they are trying to contend so whether its Smart, or some other player with the same features - and they would almost certainly be flawed just like Marcus - they are paying for that service. And he can still be traded if an opportunity presents itself.
 

Cellar-Door

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Edit- ignore this, I screwed it up, forgot you can only renegotiate if you're under the cap.
 
Last edited:

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Yeah, I'm guessing the reporter didn't check his friendly CBA FAQ first:
From memory, Ryan seems pretty conversant in NBA salary cap. He did say, "His max allowed extension would end up in his being signed for five seasons . . . ." (underline added).

However, my math has Smart ending up with $88.23M not $91.4M. Reddit thinks these numbers are correct:

Year 1 (last year of K): $13,839,285
Year 2 (120% of last year): $16,607,142
Year 3 (8% of Year 2): $17,935,713
Year 4 (8% of Year 2): $19,264,285
Year % (8% of Year 2): $20,592,856

I am totaling this up to $88,239,281. Not sure how Bernardino is getting to $91.4M

https://www.reddit.com/r/bostonceltics/comments/nv5emv/something_to_remember_about_a_possible_marcus/
 

DJnVa

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I usually only half-listen, but Karalis and others have mentioned the big FA class coming up in the summer of 2023 (?) and insinuated that there are ways for the Celtics to be major players in that summer, and didn't mention basically renouncing everyone.

Is that possible? I cannot imagine it is if Smart is signed to that rumored deal.
 

Rustjive

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I am totaling this up to $88,239,281. Not sure how Bernardino is getting to $91.4M
Bernardino (Dangercart) is very well-versed in cap rules so he's probably right, but the way he gets to $91.4m is because Smart has a 'likely' 500k incentive in his contract, for reaching body fat targets. I personally don't know how incentives are counted, but his numbers look like this:

2021-2022: 13,839,285 + 500,000 = 14,339,285
2022-2023: 14,339,285 * 120% = 17,207,142
2023-2024: 17,207,142 * 108% = 17,207,142 + 1,376,571 = 18,583,713
2024-2025: 18,583,713 + 1,376,571 = 19,960,285
2025-2026: 19,960,285 + 1,376,571 = 21,336,856
Total: 91,427,281
 

Cellar-Door

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I usually only half-listen, but Karalis and others have mentioned the big FA class coming up in the summer of 2023 (?) and insinuated that there are ways for the Celtics to be major players in that summer, and didn't mention basically renouncing everyone.

Is that possible? I cannot imagine it is if Smart is signed to that rumored deal.
Presumably they mean via S&T? Getting cap space in 2023 would mean all the same issues as getting it in 2022, but with another year of not having anyone on the roster.
 

DJnVa

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Presumably they mean via S&T? Getting cap space in 2023 would mean all the same issues as getting it in 2022, but with another year of not having anyone on the roster.
I don't really recall him saying S&T, but maybe that's understood. Trying to find some quotes.
 

JakeRae

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I usually only half-listen, but Karalis and others have mentioned the big FA class coming up in the summer of 2023 (?) and insinuated that there are ways for the Celtics to be major players in that summer, and didn't mention basically renouncing everyone.

Is that possible? I cannot imagine it is if Smart is signed to that rumored deal.
Every FA class 2 years in the future is “big” between actually contract ends and opt outs. Then there are extensions, trades, opt outs at different times, opt ins, guys get old or hurt, and all of a sudden it’s not that big anymore.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Bernardino (Dangercart) is very well-versed in cap rules so he's probably right, but the way he gets to $91.4m is because Smart has a 'likely' 500k incentive in his contract, for reaching body fat targets. I personally don't know how incentives are counted, but his numbers look like this:

2021-2022: 13,839,285 + 500,000 = 14,339,285
2022-2023: 14,339,285 * 120% = 17,207,142
2023-2024: 17,207,142 * 108% = 17,207,142 + 1,376,571 = 18,583,713
2024-2025: 18,583,713 + 1,376,571 = 19,960,285
2025-2026: 19,960,285 + 1,376,571 = 21,336,856
Total: 91,427,281
Makes sense. Agree that RB knows his cap stuff. Txs for info.
 

benhogan

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Makes sense. Agree that RB knows his cap stuff. Txs for info.
re: Smart re-signing by adding 4yrs
How long can they wait to do this? Just prior to the regular season?

The team should see his physique/PG approach before committing to Smart for 5yrs (27-31 seasons).
Most importantly Marcus needs to show up really lean/quicker, looking to pick up the opposing ballhandler 9' above the 3pt break with a distributor's mindset. Then they should pull the trigger
 

Cellar-Door

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re: Smart re-signing by adding 4yrs
How long can they wait to do this? Just prior to the regular season?

The team should see his physique/PG approach before committing to Smart for 5yrs (27-31 seasons).
Most importantly Marcus needs to show up really lean/quicker, looking to pick up the opposing ballhandler 9' above the 3pt break with a distributor's mindset. Then they should pull the trigger
You can sign an extension at any point in the last year of a deal (up until June 30) http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q58
 

dhellers

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Locking in Smart long-term is a good move given this team's trajectory, assuming he isn't the chemistry problem for the team that some here were thinking. They are going to need his skillset as long as they are trying to contend so whether its Smart, or some other player with the same features - and they would almost certainly be flawed just like Marcus - they are paying for that service. And he can still be traded if an opportunity presents itself.
Exactly. As Ainge supposedly said a few years back "If you get rid of Marcus, you will spend the next 3 years looking for someone like him".

That said: Marcus-- observe and learn from Jrue.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Exactly. As Ainge supposedly said a few years back "If you get rid of Marcus, you will spend the next 3 years looking for someone like him".

That said: Marcus-- observe and learn from Jrue.
Imagine Smart playing against the Celtics after getting traded. He might go 2-10 from the field but I suspect his biggest impact would be blowing everything up when the Celtics have the ball. Part of me is curious how that might look and another part is terrified. Scorned Marcus seems like a bad matchup.
 

lovegtm

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If Smart is down to sign an extension in that $17-18M AAV range, I'm pretty fine doing that, regardless of whether you intend to trade him later. I have my issues with him, but I think he's likely to be a positive contract at that number through his age 32 season.
 

BigSoxFan

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If Smart is down to sign an extension in that $17-18M AAV range, I'm pretty fine doing that, regardless of whether you intend to trade him later. I have my issues with him, but I think he's likely to be a positive contract at that number through his age 32 season.
Yup, it’s all based on price. He will be useful for the next several years as long as he doesn’t eat himself out of the league.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Exactly. As Ainge supposedly said a few years back "If you get rid of Marcus, you will spend the next 3 years looking for someone like him".

That said: Marcus-- observe and learn from Jrue.
But that was Marcus from a few years ago. Seemed to my eyes that Marcus lost a half-step this year, which made it more difficult for him to keep up with quicker players. That might have had to do with injuries but it also might have had something to do with his playing weight.

The eye test is funny, though. For example, here's two Cs Blog articles from April that were published less than two weeks apart about MS's defense:

https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/4/2/22361260/whats-up-with-marcus-smarts-defense-boston-celtics

https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/4/14/22383307/boston-celtics-marcus-smart-is-proving-doubters-wrong-portland-trailblazers-nba
 

Cesar Crespo

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But that was Marcus from a few years ago. Seemed to my eyes that Marcus lost a half-step this year, which made it more difficult for him to keep up with quicker players. That might have had to do with injuries but it also might have had something to do with his playing weight.
This is why I prefer they wait. I don't see Marcus getting a much better offer on the open market than the deal discussed above. I don't see the rush. I'd rather see if he had an off year or it's a decline and see how he handles playing point for the year.

I guess there's a small chance they could lose him or he costs considerably more if he shoots like .380 from 3. If he shoots .315 and continues to slip on defense, he'll come at a cheaper price tag. I think he'll have a bit more value by default as the starting PG, if that is the plan. The only guard on the roster he doesn't really mesh with offensively is Langford, but at end of games it's easy to sub for defense/offense. The other guards don't really mesh with each other at all at this point. Either they are too short to play together (PP, Edwards) or there PG skills aren't up to snuff (PP, Edwards, Langford).

Stating the obvious once again, but the team really needs another PG. If they want to play Smart in the same role he played the last few seasons, they probably need 2.

Anyway, I don't see how he isn't here for at least 1 more year. I know he might be the salary needed to make any deal work, but unless that deal is for a PG... it leaves a colossal hole. And I mean a PG, not CJ McCollum trying to pass off as one. I don't think CJ is all that much better than Smart overall and I'm not a fan of the contract going forward.

I mean, if they could trade Smart and stuff for Zach LaVine with the intentions of playing LaVine at point... yeah. But that's not realistic. CJ might actually be, and I'd pass. If the 76ers really had any interest in McCollum for Simmons, I talk about a 3 way deal. I suggested it a week ago as a joke since someone said they wouldn't trade Smart and TT for Simmons, but an actual reporter said a CJ for Smart deal was discussed. So maybe a 3 way deal isn't out of the question.

I'd still be exploring trades for a 3rd banana that can play both ends of the court, is preferably 6'4+ with some length, can play point, and is closer to 25 than 30. Getting all of those isn't very likely but I'd still explore it. McCollum might hit one of those goals and is not an elite player. Simmons hits at least 3, if used correctly maybe all 4. Now if the player is a top 10-15 player like Dame, you make exceptions. Getting any player of that sort almost requires involving Smart.

Long story short, explore trades for a legit 3rd banana. When (if) that fails, let Smart play out the year to see if he bounces back and how he handles being the primary PG. Decide what to do with him after 21/22.
 

NomarsFool

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I think the big question mark is what does "contract year" Smart look like? I think the Celtics are best when Smart is acting as facilitator and lock down defender. Smart sometime shares that view, and sometimes thinks the Celtics are best when Smart is launching pull up 3 pointers at a 1-10 clip. I don't know him personally, of course, but I doubt Smart will consciously think "I've got to put up some points to help me with my contract". However, I think that stuff creeps into players' subconcsious minds - how could it not? I don't want to see Smart taking 15 shots a game next season.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I think the big question mark is what does "contract year" Smart look like? I think the Celtics are best when Smart is acting as facilitator and lock down defender. Smart sometime shares that view, and sometimes thinks the Celtics are best when Smart is launching pull up 3 pointers at a 1-10 clip. I don't know him personally, of course, but I doubt Smart will consciously think "I've got to put up some points to help me with my contract". However, I think that stuff creeps into players' subconcsious minds - how could it not? I don't want to see Smart taking 15 shots a game next season.
Yeah I really don't want contract year Smart but I also don't want to commit to him for 5 years (1+4) without knowing if 20/21 was an off year. If Smart's taking 15 shots a game, he's probably costing himself money though.
 

Cesar Crespo

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That sounds awesome. So what guys fit those criteria and are available? Seems like a pretty small list.
I wasn't expecting to find one who fits all of them. Just 2 or 3.

The only player who might check all 4 boxes and be available is Ben Simmons. Offense may be in question though.

I just think in an ideal world, they should be looking for someone like Zach LaVine or Devin Booker. They aren't PGs but they can play point. We don't live in an ideal world though so if someone like Beal became available, you jump on him. CJ McCollum? No. Sexton? Maybe because he has youth on his side.

Or if for some reason KAT became available. Maybe even Christian Wood since his contract wouldn't necessarily prevent another max guy joining.

It's just a guideline, not a requirement. It's like having the "stretch big who can play the 4 and 5" to come off the bench. You can't always find it so you sign TT.
 

128

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I wasn't expecting to find one who fits all of them. Just 2 or 3.

The only player who might check all 4 boxes and be available is Ben Simmons. Offense may be in question though.

I just think in an ideal world, they should be looking for someone like Zach LaVine or Devin Booker. They aren't PGs but they can play point. We don't live in an ideal world though so if someone like Beal became available, you jump on him. CJ McCollum? No. Sexton? Maybe because he has youth on his side.

Or if for some reason KAT became available. Maybe even Christian Wood since his contract wouldn't necessarily prevent another max guy joining.

It's just a guideline, not a requirement. It's like having the "stretch big who can play the 4 and 5" to come off the bench. You can't always find it so you sign TT.
He may not be a realistic target, but Lonzo Ball checks all those boxes.
 

Cesar Crespo

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He may not be a realistic target, but Lonzo Ball checks all those boxes.
Yeah, I'm just not sure he's at JB's level. I'd want the 3rd banana to be at least as good as JB. He's also rumored to be getting the max. I think that's absurd.

I love Ball but at the max, ugh. I think he's more a role player (an elite one) than a needle mover.
 

Jakarta

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Marcus has never been asked to be the starting PG. He’s always been a wing and the backup PG. I would hope if the plan is for him to be the starting PG, his offseason workouts reflect this plan and he can come into the season slimmer and ready to guard more quick guards, rather than having to worry about banging with bigger wings as much.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Marcus has never been asked to be the starting PG. He’s always been a wing and the backup PG. I would hope if the plan is for him to be the starting PG, his offseason workouts reflect this plan and he can come into the season slimmer and ready to guard more quick guards, rather than having to worry about banging with bigger wings as much.
I’ve said this many times in the past. Smart is not suited to be a full-time starting PG on either end of the floor. I do not believe for one second that this is Brad’s plan. He can spot minutes agaiant certain matchups if necessary but you are placing him at a severe disadvantage (on both ends) against a good number of teams while not taking advantage of his elite defense on wings. Smart as the starting PG is setting both him and the team up to fail......and I don’t believe Brad has any intention to do this.

I brought up Tyus Jones name last week as an idea guy to fit with the Jays and with Smart. There are others like a Dejounte or a Monte Morris as well as others.
 

dhellers

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But that was Marcus from a few years ago. Seemed to my eyes that Marcus lost a half-step this year, which made it more difficult for him to keep up with quicker players. That might have had to do with injuries but it also might have had something to do with his playing weight.

The eye test is funny, though. For example, here's two Cs Blog articles from April that were published less than two weeks apart about MS's defense:

https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/4/2/22361260/whats-up-with-marcus-smarts-defense-boston-celtics

https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/4/14/22383307/boston-celtics-marcus-smart-is-proving-doubters-wrong-portland-trailblazers-nba
This is true. But at 27 is he really on a downward spiral, or was this a f'ed up year for everyone, hence a f'ed up year for Marcus. I say that because Marcus's biggest problem is when he thinks he needs to do MORE! As he exceeds his competency level, his efficiency plummets.

With a healthy core, and Al H being the big elephant, the good Marcus could well reappear.

And as with all things NBA, all you can do is work the probabilities.
 

NomarsFool

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If Smart's taking 15 shots a game, he's probably costing himself money though.
I checked the stats, looks like he's been taking more than 15 shots a game for awhile now - I didn't realize that. Well, I don't want to see him taking 18 or 19 shots a game, that's for sure.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I checked the stats, looks like he's been taking more than 15 shots a game for awhile now - I didn't realize that. Well, I don't want to see him taking 18 or 19 shots a game, that's for sure.
You need to check those stats again. He averaged 10.6 this year and 11.4 last year. The 11.4 is a career high, the 10.6 is 2nd.
 

nighthob

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You need to check those stats again. He averaged 10.6 this year and 11.4 last year. The 11.4 is a career high, the 10.6 is 2nd.
Maybe he’s looking at Smart’s /100 possession numbers? Because even his /36s aren’t that high.
 

HomeRunBaker

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This is true. But at 27 is he really on a downward spiral, or was this a f'ed up year for everyone, hence a f'ed up year for Marcus. I say that because Marcus's biggest problem is when he thinks he needs to do MORE! As he exceeds his competency level, his efficiency plummets.

With a healthy core, and Al H being the big elephant, the good Marcus could well reappear.

And as with all things NBA, all you can do is work the probabilities.
Marcus spent a month on the sidelines with a calf injury which is about as bad an injury to return from in mid season as you can’t do ANY running or lower body cardio. Then you are returning to your preseason while the rest of the league is in prime in-season conditioning. That is a tough ask for a middling player.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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This is true. But at 27 is he really on a downward spiral, or was this a f'ed up year for everyone, hence a f'ed up year for Marcus. I say that because Marcus's biggest problem is when he thinks he needs to do MORE! As he exceeds his competency level, his efficiency plummets.

With a healthy core, and Al H being the big elephant, the good Marcus could well reappear.

And as with all things NBA, all you can do is work the probabilities.
The year Marcus had certainly could be caused, as HRB notes, by injury or the f'd up year that was COVID or even being subject of mid-year trade discussions.

However, his worth is so tied up in defense, I worry about what happens if Marcus loses a half-step or even a step, particularly given his build.

At any rate, I doubt Marcus would sign an extension before the season for at least two reasons: (i) he probably thinks he worth more than that and (ii) even if he would play for that salary, he'll probably want to see how Ime does.

And at some point, we'll have some better info as to what the next few years holds for Marcus.
 

mcpickl

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The year Marcus had certainly could be caused, as HRB notes, by injury or the f'd up year that was COVID or even being subject of mid-year trade discussions.

However, his worth is so tied up in defense, I worry about what happens if Marcus loses a half-step or even a step, particularly given his build.

At any rate, I doubt Marcus would sign an extension before the season for at least two reasons: (i) he probably thinks he worth more than that and (ii) even if he would play for that salary, he'll probably want to see how Ime does.

And at some point, we'll have some better info as to what the next few years holds for Marcus.
I think what happens in FA this summer might tip this one way or the other.

If guys like Dennis Schroeder, Norm Powell, and especially Evan Fournier, get paid big this summer Smart may be more likely to wait until UFA to take his chances.

If they get paid less than expected, Smart may just take the guaranteed money.

Assuming the Celtics even offer it.
 

Fishy1

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Marcus may have looked worse to some of you, but his rate stats are in line with a career uptrend along with a trend of increased usage. Steals were down, but barely. I think the worries about his losing a step are premature and compounded by the noted injuries.

Defensive guards have pretty much the same peak as everyone else - 28-30. With some hindsight, I have to think not winning made pretty much everyone on the team look bad, but the losing really had more to do with bad team defense due to roster turnover due to injuries, lacking a rim protector with TT starting so many games, and teamwide struggles to defend the three point line on defense. On offense we failed to get easy buckets because it was such an abysmal group of passers, and Smart was absolutely the best distributor on last year's team. Smart posted a career high in assists last year by a lot without any change in usage, and if you surround him with four other guys who can get a bucket, he can focus on what he's good at. His three point shooting was well below average, but still much better than what it was when he came into the league.

Adding Horford next to TL addresses a lot of these problems. I'm sure Udoka and Brad don't want to head into next year with Marcus as lead guard, but I don't think it would be such a disaster, either. And frankly, barring some blockbuster (fingers crossed), they actually need him to facilitate. I'm more bullish than others on Pritchard but I don't see him becoming an above average passer for a while. If Smart does have to leave in a trade I'd second the Tyus Jones love. I think we should send off something for him pronto. Keeps the ball safe, good passer, good hands on defense, and has managed to do all that while playing on some very bad teams.
 

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I think having a true PG who can guard the position and distribute, would help Marcus a lot. A) it takes some burden off him, and B) it allows him to be his best on D covering a variety of player types from 1-4. Which then has similar carry-on benefits for the Jays in the same way.
 

TripleOT

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Assuming the Celts don’t figure out how to bring a Lonzo or Brogdon in, making Smart the PG is ok with me. The Jays can handle a lot of the halfcourt table setting. I also think Pritchard in his second year can do it. A PG who shoots over 40% from three would be great, although I prefer Smart because I want a fully switchable defensively starting five
 

slamminsammya

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Marcus may have looked worse to some of you, but his rate stats are in line with a career uptrend along with a trend of increased usage. Steals were down, but barely. I think the worries about his losing a step are premature and compounded by the noted injuries.

Defensive guards have pretty much the same peak as everyone else - 28-30. With some hindsight, I have to think not winning made pretty much everyone on the team look bad, but the losing really had more to do with bad team defense due to roster turnover due to injuries, lacking a rim protector with TT starting so many games, and teamwide struggles to defend the three point line on defense. On offense we failed to get easy buckets because it was such an abysmal group of passers, and Smart was absolutely the best distributor on last year's team. Smart posted a career high in assists last year by a lot without any change in usage, and if you surround him with four other guys who can get a bucket, he can focus on what he's good at. His three point shooting was well below average, but still much better than what it was when he came into the league.

Adding Horford next to TL addresses a lot of these problems. I'm sure Udoka and Brad don't want to head into next year with Marcus as lead guard, but I don't think it would be such a disaster, either. And frankly, barring some blockbuster (fingers crossed), they actually need him to facilitate. I'm more bullish than others on Pritchard but I don't see him becoming an above average passer for a while. If Smart does have to leave in a trade I'd second the Tyus Jones love. I think we should send off something for him pronto. Keeps the ball safe, good passer, good hands on defense, and has managed to do all that while playing on some very bad teams.
I actually had the opposite impression, that the main culprit with the defense this year was mainly a few guys getting repeatedly roasted 1 on 1 / at the point of attack. Marcus was among that group to my eyes.
 

bsj

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Assuming the Celts don’t figure out how to bring a Lonzo or Brogdon in, making Smart the PG is ok with me. The Jays can handle a lot of the halfcourt table setting. I also think Pritchard in his second year can do it. A PG who shoots over 40% from three would be great, although I prefer Smart because I want a fully switchable defensively starting five
If Smart is the PG I really hope its because they are holding back for a big push in 2022. If we have to endure Smart as the PG for TWO years....that may be a bridge too far for me
 

luckiestman

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If Smart is the PG I really hope its because they are holding back for a big push in 2022. If we have to endure Smart as the PG for TWO years....that may be a bridge too far for me
I could go the other way; if they tell smart that he is the point guard and want to see him distribute I think he would do it. I never view Marcus as thinking “I have to get mine”, I think when he does crazy stuff it is because he believes that he has to do that to win. He will be happy to pass to The Jays, Fournier, TL, Al.
 

Jimbodandy

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I could go the other way; if they tell smart that he is the point guard and want to see him distribute I think he would do it. I never view Marcus as thinking “I have to get mine”, I think when he does crazy stuff it is because he believes that he has to do that to win. He will be happy to pass to The Jays, Fournier, TL, Al.
This is correct. Plus we have a new coach who likely doesn't have the same weird tick about telling guys not to be a shithead when they launch dumb shots.
 

sezwho

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I could go the other way; if they tell smart that he is the point guard and want to see him distribute I think he would do it. I never view Marcus as thinking “I have to get mine”, I think when he does crazy stuff it is because he believes that he has to do that to win. He will be happy to pass to The Jays, Fournier, TL, Al.
This is where I stand as well.

That said, I'm struck by the irony this choice may actually end up neutering Smart's greatest advantage. The man can absolutely defend four positions credibly, but I'm not sure that playoff-quality 1s are on that list.
 

4 6 3 DP

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He wasn't mentioned once in the press conference yesterday, so as far as I'm concerned he's a piece they use if they need to and keep if they don't. We heard about the J's and Nesmith and Langford, past that I would guess everyone else is fungible and obviously Nesmith/romeo would be as well if you could get the third piece.