The Latest Buzz Around Marcus Smart's Free Agency Has Me Somewhat Concerned
If you’re like me, you’ve probably been doing your best to try and keep the Celtics offseason dilemma out of your brain. Having an ECF to stress over has helped, but I can’t lie the latest Marcus Smart free agency nugget has me a little shook. If you haven’t heard, the GOAT Jackie MacMullan shared some interesting thoughts on this subject on an episode of the Hoop Collective podcast. Normally when I hear Celtics rumors from people at ESPN I mostly disregard them. Woj has been wrong a bunch, and it is that time of year where agents and teams will both leak out stuff to better their negotiating position. But when Jackie talks, I listen. This is what she had to say
“I’ve talked to lots of people around the Celtics and around the league about Marcus Smart. If Marcus Smart was willing to take a – let’s say Sacramento for arguments sake or another team that isn’t quite good. And they offer him $14 million a year. And the Celtics say, ‘We can’t pay you that. But we’ll pay you $12 (million).’ My question to them was will Marcus Smart take it because they’re contending, he’s a cult hero in town. Every one of them said, ‘Hell no, he’s going for the money.’ I’ve never asked him this question. But that’s the impression I get. You can’t blame young guys who want to go out to the highest bidder and thinks he should be a starter and he’s not going to be one in Boston for many years to come.”
Well if I could be be a little overdramatic for a second, that statement is a complete disaster. It’s impossible to know what is really going on in Smart’s brain, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this really was the case. You only get so many opportunities to get paid, and we should have no problem with a player going after the highest possible offer. Personally, I’ve always felt that anything under $15M Ainge should match. I think Smart has proved his worth to this team, despite his horrific Game 4. The problem is Smart is also one of the most confusing players in the league when you try and figure out his market. Do teams outside of Boston value him the same way? Given the teams with real cap space this summer, how many of them are in the market for a point guard? Is there REALLY a $14M offer out there for Smart?
Which brings me to the problem the Celtics are currently in. They have two young point guards that apparently want to be starters in the league. Chances are both will command a pretty hefty RFA offer, which given the Kyrie extension that’s on the horizon makes things a bit difficult. That’s why you hear about the real possibility that Rozier could be moved this summer, which would certainly make things a little easier when it comes to keeping Smart. The Smart vs Rozier debate is one in which we all lose when you think about it. If you move on from Rozier, you lose that Kyrie insurance from a guy that can give you what, like 65% of what Kyrie can do if these knee issues continue over the course of his next deal. If you move on from Smart, you lose the heart of your team, and a guy that fits Brad’s idea of versatility as well as any player on the roster. If you keep everyone, you’re paying outrageous luxury tax penalties and guys are going to be unhappy if they truly want to start, and that’s locker room drama I want no part of.
Remember, there were rumors before the season that Smart’s camp turned down a $13M offer from Ainge. Maybe that’s not true, and maybe his market has since come down, but I think on some level we were all hoping maybe everyone would take a little less so that the band could stay together. I know personally I convinced my brain that if the Warriors could do it, then so could our group. But when connected people like Jackie MacMullan are hearing otherwise, then yeah I’m going to start to worry.
I’m already stressed the fuck out about tonight’s Game 5, I did not need to add this stuff to the list but here we are. So I must ask, if you were Ainge, with everything we know now where are you leaning. Smart or Rozier?