Marcus Smart is a rarity among NBA players: He seems to really want to play for the Celtics.
We should be celebrating his extension for that fact alone.
News of Smart's four-year, $77 million deal sparked some consternation, with naysayers pointing to his weak shot and proclivity to dominate the ball in late-game situations. Those are all fair criticisms. And if Smart plays like last season, this contract will be an overpay.
But keep in mind, the tenacious guard was playing through an irritating calf injury, which likely hampered him defensively. Better health should lead to a rebound in defensive performance.
While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown represent the Celtics' core, Smart is their soul. He's been a stalwart of the Brad Stevens era, playing on all three Conference Finals teams.
It's telling that Tatum publicly celebrated his extension on Twitter. "Happy for my dawg!," Tatum wrote.
In today's NBA, Smart's contract isn't outrageous, either. As NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg notes, there are at least 60 players earning a higher annual value in the NBA right now. If Smart becomes the Celtics' starting point, this could actually be a team-friendly deal. The Celtics should still have around $20 million in cap space next season, leaving them room to acquire Bradley Beal via trade.
And yes, Smart is the favorite to start at point guard last season. Dennis Schroder is flashy and new, but he's also only here on a one-year deal. It's apparent Schroder is here to rebuild his value, which is fine. There's nothing with carrying a mercenary or two.
But Smart is being paid like a starting guard, and besides, he's here for the long haul. It will be interesting to see how he plays without a more ball-dominant guard playing in front of or alongside him, such as Kemba Walker or Isaiah Thomas.
Here's another point in Smart's favor: it's crucial for established NBA vets to express excitement about playing for the Celtics. The Nets pulverized the Celtics on the court and further damaged their reputation off of it. Kyrie Irving called Boston a racist city, and Kevin Durant said the "whole world knows."
Well, the whole world also knows that Smart loves playing in Boston. As the Celtics look to compliment Tatum and Brown, it's important to try and change the narrative.
