NBA Insider Thinks Celtics Took ‘Massive Gamble’ With Marcus Smart-Kristaps Porzingis Trade

One NBA insider believes the Boston Celtics took a “massive gamble” by trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks the Celtics will miss “Smart’s presence on the court and in the locker room.” Boston is also destined to become a second-apron team after signing Porzingis and Jaylen Brown to extensions.

“Losing Smart, their starting point guard and an integral part of their success for the past nine seasons, is huge in a number of areas,” Swartz wrote. “Once referred to as ‘the heart and soul of this team’ by Jaylen Brown, Smart was Boston’s best passer and only one season removed from winning Defensive Player of the Year. He gets the Celtics into their offensive sets, calls teammates out if necessary and can start fires when they clearly need a spark.

“Boston is destined to become a second-apron team, which will put limitations on their future trades and draft picks. With Porziņģis averaging only 54 games per season over the past four years since returning from a torn ACL, durability will continue to be a major concern moving forward.”

The Celtics drafted Smart with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Oklahoma State. The 29-year-old averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 581 games with Boston while shooting 38.6% from the field, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 77.7% from the free-throw line.

Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Wizards in 2022-23. He shot 49.8% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 85.1% from the free-throw line. The All-Star forward has career averages of 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Wizards.

There should be more driving lanes for Jayston Tatum and Brown next season since Porzingis can space the floor with his shooting. When Porzingis goes beyond the 3-point line, he will bring his defender with him, which will create more room in the paint for Tatum and Brown.

However, the Celtics are going to miss Smart’s defense and hustle.