Marcus Smart‘s extension with the Celtics puts him at the intersection of being a franchise cornerstone and on the trade block, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Weiss continues to say that the timing of Smart’s deal, during Summer League as opposed to right before the season, points to the possibility of his inclusion in a superstar deal, as the usual moratorium on trading players off an extension has been changed from six to five months due to the shortened offseason.
Weiss adds that the Celtics wouldn’t make this deal strictly for trade purposes, that it’s also an indication of their belief in the gritty guard, and that Smart and new head coach Ime Udoka are a match made in heaven. “He has that edge and toughness about him,” Udoka said of Smart soon after being hired. “The things he brings to your team are the things you’d love every player to bring.”
Udoka also called Smart the heart and soul of the team. The four-year, $77.1 million extension is a bet that that’s still true even if he’s given the added responsibility of leading the team’s offense.
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