Marcus Smart is no stranger to trade rumors, as his name seems to pop up every offseason, and even during this past season.
Despite the Celtics reaching the NBA Finals, this offseason appears to be no different. With the C’s looking to improve their playmaking -- something president of basketball operations Brad Stevens acknowledged himself this week -- there’s been talk about acquiring more of a “true” point guard.
Smart, as the team’s current point guard, could theoretically be on the move in that case. He has a tradeable contract, and asking him to move back to a sixth man-type role might not be something he’d be too thrilled about at this point in his career.
Count Brian Scalabrine as being firmly against such a move. Appearing on Merloni, Fauria & Mego on Wednesday, the Audacy Insider and NBC Sports Boston analyst made his case for Smart being too valuable to the Celtics and too important to their team identity.
“No,” Scal said when asked if he’d consider trading Smart. “The identity of this Celtics team is defensive versatility. You name me a point guard who can block out Joel Embiid. I’ll make it really simple for people. You can worry about your playmaking, your shooting, you can even say, ‘Guard this guy or guard that guy.’ I’ll just put one on you: Marcus Smart can block out Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. If you find me any point guard who can do that, then I’ll be open to it. But I don’t find guys like that, and that’s what the identity of this team is.
“People have to understand that Marcus Smart getting switched onto a five allows the versatility that makes this defense lapping the field in the NBA. If Marcus couldn’t do that… like Mike Conley is a legit point guard, an elite point guard making $30 million. He cannot do that. Chris Paul, good as he is, he cannot do that. Your team would have a different identity, and if you give up that identity, that is why the Celtics made it to the NBA Finals, because of Marcus’ defensive versatility. So, can he better at this and that? Is he the best point guard in the NBA? No, I understand all that. But he’s the best defensive point guard in the NBA. I can guarantee that.”
As for improving their playmaking, Scalabrine pointed out that improvement could come internally, with Smart, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown all capable of taking further steps in that respect.
Listen to the full interview with Scalabrine here:
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