Marcus Smart was part of the Boston Celtics’ core that helped the organization become a contender again. Despite being related to the Celtics’ return to relevance, the franchise decided to trade him away to Memphis this past offseason.
Marcus Smart knew that the time of him being traded away was close and he was usually involved in rumors that were referring to him as the odd-man out in the Celtics’ roster during the last few years. However, he did not like the way the organization handled the transaction last summer.
“If I’m being quite frank, I knew I would be traded eventually…But it was just the way it happened. I was told everything was good after asking multiple times,” Marcus Smart said during an interview with Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
“Like, ‘I’m hearing (rumors), what’s going on?’ And they’re like, ‘No, you’re good, you’re good, you’re good.’ And then when I do hear about the trade, it’s from Shams (Charania) on Twitter before I hear from the team.”
The former Defensive Player of the Year will be able to be the veteran presence on a good regular-season team in Memphis. His ability to amp up his performance in the postseason and his defensive grit will help the young Grizzlies team find at least some balance.
The veteran guard will be the starting point guard of the team, as Ja Morant is set to serve a 25-game suspension at the beginning of the 2023/2024 NBA season. He and Derrick Rose in a backup role will try to keep the winning percentage intact in the first months of the season.
“You always want to be where you’re wanted, and another team’s trash is another team’s gold. So I’m glad to be here,” Smart said. “I’m glad to be on an organization that wants me and sees me (have) great value. So I’m ecstatic and I’m ready to get going.”
Marcus Smart and the Memphis Grizzlies will hit the floor on Thursday for the opening game of the NBA season vs. the Pelicans in hope of retaining their top regular season record and maintaining their form for the postseason.
