So the Boston Celtics traded Malcom Brogdon and Dalino Gallinari for Kristaps Porzingis and we all praised Brad Stevens. But then he trades Marcus Smart to Memphis and we all scratch our heads wondering what to make of the deal.
Marcus was taken with the sixth pick in the 2014 draft and the Celtics made the payoffs every year since, Smart and his talent and heart were a big part of that. Some franchises would kill to make the playoffs 9-years in a row. It was clear that Marcus was Boston's emotional favorite. He was also, perhaps, Danny Ainge's favorite. When Marcus's mom passed - Ainge went out of his way to console his star guard. This did not go unnoticed.
Did Brad Stevens take emotions out of the equation and make the right play or did he just stamp the Celtics as his team by removing Smart? Perhaps he's done both? Marcus's numbers should be easy to reproduce but his heart is another story, He's played the second most games in a Boston uniform since Paul Pierce and everyone has commented on how he's lost a step these past couple seasons. Two first round picks for a guy taken nine years ago is a fair return, For Boston's sake I hope this works.
To be clear this move not only marks this as Brad Stevens team but also Jason Tatum's team. It makes sense but it still hurts.
