Boston Celtics veteran shooting guard Marcus Smart is among former Memphis Grizzlies executive and current analyst for the Athletic John Hollinger’s 10 NBA free-agent contracts in the NBA.
In a new article surveying the league’s best recently-inked deals in free agency with enough time having passed to properly evaluate their actual value (presumably at least one full season), but also still have more than this current (2019-20) season on the books, Smart’s current contract ranked quite high.
Inked in the summer of 2018, a depressed cap ended up creating what Hollinger sees as the third best value in the league based on these and other criteria for the Celtics.
Generating as much as $8 million in value Boston is getting gratis above what they are paying him, Smart’s defensive acument in particular brings loads of value to the team.
“At just 26, Smart has an offensive game that is still making small forward strides each season (he was a much more aggressive scorer this season, for instance),” relates Hollinger, “which allows him to stay on the court for his angry terrier defense. Smart projects to be worth $22 million a year, so the Celtics are coming out $16 million ahead over these next two seasons.”
A fringe Defensive Player of the Year candidate for his defense, the Flower Mound native is also having one of the best offensive seasons of his career, having (mostly) found his niche on that end of the ball.
For a player who was the worst 3-point shooter in NBA history with significant attempts not that long ago, to knock down treys at a solid 34.8 % 6.9 attempts per game means he’s providing a real threat opening up space for wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to work in.
And that doesn’t count the intangible leadership and intensity the Texan brings to the table almost every game he suits up; Smart’s contract is indeed one of the best values in the NBA — a bargain for the player many describe as the heart and soul of the Celtics.
