Something had to be done.
Trading Marcus Smart may have not been Boston’s first option, but the Celtics may have been saved by the Clippers’ concerns about Malcolm Brogdon. On the surface, this didn’t answer the calls to blow up the roster following an infuriating postseason, but it will absolutely change the locker room while improving the franchise’s talent.
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Smart was labeled the team’s “heart and soul.” There’s no doubt he played hard, but there’s also no doubt he made his share of mistakes over the years — some more significant than others. His peaks and valleys helped the Celtics get to the NBA Finals in his time while also making the postseason each season throughout his nine years. But, that may be the problem. When has any of that ever been good enough for this franchise if a ring wasn’t mixed in?
From the identity angle alone, trading Smart over Malcolm Brogdon in the Kristaps Porzingis negotiations was a better move. Brogdon may also be injury-prone, like Porzingis, but that’s the primary thing holding him back. Whereas, with Smart … well, who among you hasn’t at least thought “No, no!” when the ex-Celtic guard pulled up from three?
Even with those moments, Smart’s ability to make “winning plays” has always been his saving grace, alongside his defense. But, he wasn’t the only NBA All-Defensive guard on the roster who makes winning plays anymore. It’s almost as if the final play of Game 6 against Miami was foreshadowing for what was to come, with Derrick White making the winning play after Smart missed the 3-pointer with Boston’s season on the line.
And while White may not have the Defensive Player of the Year ceiling Smart did, his off-nights are much less harmful. White has a tendency to disappear on offense when he can’t get things going. Smart just keeps shooting.
The injury bug may be a problem for Boston next season, but the Celtics are now better from a talent standpoint and have a chance to see an even stronger ripple effect with the locker room changing.
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