Boston Celtics fans excited about rumored interest in a deal for Atlanta Hawks forwards Bogdan Bogdanovic and John Collins might re-evaluate their enthusiasm if it would require a popular Celtics player rumored to be of interest for the Hawks ends up in the trade.
That player would be a one Marcus Smart, the longest-tenured player and so-called “heart-and-soul” of the team, which The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports Atlanta has “expressed interest” in, presumably as a backcourt partner to pair alongside Hawks star Trae Young, whose defensive deficiencies have nearly as big of a reputation as his skill on the other end of the court.
A future without the Flower Mound native in Boston is not the move most fans have been clamoring for.
O’Connor: Celtics pursuit of John Collins ‘also involves … Bogdan Bogdanovic’ https://t.co/3GpThgqof6
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 22, 2021
But perhaps it is one they will have to at least contemplate if a splashier move is to be in the cards, as he is one of the best-value contracts the Celtics have on their roster, and likely easiest to move as part of any bigger deal.
Of course Atlanta having interest in the Texan defensive specialist does not necessarily equate to the Celtics having much — or even any — inclination to move him given how important he has been for this team.
But at any rate it is a wrinkle to monitor, no matter what your preferred outcome for the team post-deadline may be.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
