Jan 2, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (nots seen) missing a free throw in overtime at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
(Boston, Massachusetts) — The NBA is a cruel business.
Speaking publicly for the first time on Sunday, former Celtics guard Marcus Smart said he was blindsided by the three-team trade that sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“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 told reporters. “My agent called my fiancée and she woke me up out of a sleep, literally, right after the deal had been made and I think [the media] had already tweeted it out. That’s how we found out.”
Boston originally wasn’t planning to trade Smart and intended to send Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team trade to land Porzingis. When the deal fell apart, however, the Celtics made the decision to trade their longest-tenured player.
“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.
Smart spent the entirety of his nine-year career in Boston, guiding the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022. The 29-year-old was named to three All-Defensive First Teams (’19, ’22, ’23).
“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. 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.”
Smart will join a young and hungry group of Grizzlies looking to break through in a tough Western Conference, while the Celtics will welcome Kristaps Porzingis to town in hopes of getting over a hump of their own.
