It sounds like Marcus Smart knew that a trade out of Boston was coming for him.
That’s what the former Celtics star said to The Athletic this week as he spoke about his new start after being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this summer. Smart said that he knew a trade was likely coming, but was told that “you’re good. He also claims that he heard he’d been traded via social media.
“If I’m being quite frank, I knew I would be traded eventually … And then when I do hear about the trade, it’s from Shams (Charania) on Twitter before I hear from the team,” Smart said to The Athletic.
Smart was dealt to the Grizzlies as part of a multi-team deal that centered around Boston acquiring star big man Kristaps Porzingis. The deal came together quickly after a reported deal that would have sent Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers fell apart due to injury concerns.
Back in the summer, Smart said that he was in “complete shock” after hearing about the deal. Although, his original version of the story was a bit different.
“I was actually asleep and my agent called my fiancée,” Smart said, via CLNS. “She woke me up out of sleep. It was right after the deal had been made and I think Shams had already tweeted it out, and that’s how we found out.”
The trade that sent Smart to Memphis went down back in June, a month before the social media platform known as Twitter abruptly changed to X.
The Celtics took Smart No. 6 overall out of Oklahoma State back in the 2014 NBA Draft, starting his nine-year run in Boston. Smart was a three-time All-Defensive Team selection as well as the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year. But more than that, Smart was often referred to as the “heart and soul” of the Celtics during much of his time with the team.
But now as he gets ready for his first season in Memphis, Smart says he’s happy to be in a place where he’s wanted.
“You always want to be where you’re wanted, and another team’s trash is another team’s gold. So I’m glad to be here,” Smart said to The Athletic. “I’m glad to be on an organization that wants me and sees me (have) great value. So I’m ecstatic and I’m ready to get going.”
The 23-year-old Smart is heading into his 10th NBA season. He’s set to play against his old team when the Celtics travel to Memphis on Nov. 19. He’s set to make his return to Boston when the Grizzlies travel there on Feb. 4, 2024.
Story by Nick O’Malley, masslive.com
