Marcus Smart will be seen as a beloved former player for many Boston Celtics fans, however, his departure from the team again showed how cold the business of sports can be for the athletes in it.
Heading into the summer, Marcus Smart was one of the longest-tenured players on the Boston Celtics roster. While he may not have lived up to the hopes of a player taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, he evolved into a pivotal part of a team that has become one of the true powerhouses of the league.
Related: Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs reportedly targeted recently traded star
Smart’s grit and defensive talents helped to give the Boston Celtics that extra edge necessary to be a legitimate title contender the last few seasons. However, after nine years with the organization, his tenure with the team came to a surprising end in July when he was part of a massive three-team deal that shipped him off to the Memphis Grizzlies and landed Boston the sharper shooter big man Kristaps Porzingis.
Boston Celtics told Marcus Smart he was ‘safe’ a week before trade
Smart being traded was a completely unexpected development, and it seems it was for him too because he had good reason to believe he would be back in Boston next season. In a chat this weekend with the Boston Globe, Marcus Smart gave some new details on his trade to Memphis and it showcases how harsh the industry can be, even to proven veterans.
In his chat, Smart revealed that a week before the trade he was informed by Boston Celtics management that he was safe and was not in danger of being traded. Obviously, that changed quickly. But to add insult to injury, he also claimed that despite nearly a decade of service, the front office did not reach out to him with the difficult news, and instead he first heard about the deal from his agent.
Nevertheless, in the piece, Smart still has strong positive feelings about the Boston Celtics and has a lot of love for the organization despite the stunning end to his run with the franchise.