Many NBA fans were very surprised the Boston Celtics traded star guard Marcus Smart.
Smart may have been more surprised than anyone, especially after claiming the team told him days before there were no trade talks involving him.
Boston traded Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies June 21 in a three-team deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics and sent Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards. The deal also involved multiple draft pick and some role players.
In his first public comments since the trade, Smart said Sunday he had been assured he was not being considered for a trade.
“It was definitely shocking to find out that way, especially because the week before, I was already told we were good, there were no trade talks with me and we were good,” Smart said (via the Boston Herald). “I understand the business side of it, I’ve always been like that. I’m the first one to tell anyone, you can’t mix personal with business, it just doesn’t mix. I understand it’s a business.
“For me, it’s just the courtesy. They probably already knew they were thinking about trading me, they had this trade in their back pocket just in case something else didn’t happen.”
Drafted by the Celtics No. 6 overall in 2014, Smart became a fan favorite in Boston, being named three times to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award (2022) and winning the NBA Hustle Award three times. He averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 assists per game.
Given his importance to the team, and his popularity, one would think the Celtics might have given him a heads-up he might be moved. Smart certainly thinks the Celtics could have at least extended that courtesy to him.
“And for me, it’s just the simple fact, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about trading you, most likely we’ll trade you, just letting you know, thank you,'” Smart said. “Especially with telling me the week before, my house flooding and having to deal with that. It was a whole lot at once. I love this team, I love this organization, I love the fans and the support I’ve gotten for my nine years. I’m excited and energetic to start my new life with the Grizzlies.”]
A couple of days after the trade, Smart posted a thank you to fans on Twitter.
Goodbyes are hard.
But the future is exciting. pic.twitter.com/hULgrVXkmi— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) June 23, 2023
