Marcus Smart is likely to accept the Celtics’ $6.1MM qualifying offer and try his luck as an unrestricted free agent next year, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston.
Two officials from teams that were interested in signing Smart tell Blakely they now expect him to return to Boston for another season. One of them adds that Smart’s restricted status is the reason he hasn’t received an offer sheet, as teams are convinced the Celtics will match it.
Smart has been frustrated with the free agent market so far and by the Celtics’ unwillingness to reach out to him to negotiate a new contract. Boston’s front office would like to keep Smart, Blakely adds, but it wants to do so based on his market value.
The Celtics also have to keep an eye on the luxury tax, which they will be close to paying, depending on the size of Smart’s contract. Team officials are content to let Smart and his agent find someone willing to give him an offer sheet, then make their decision based on that.
Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe reports that teams are willing to give Smart about $9MM annually, but he is looking for much more. A source close to Smart says he may wait until October to sign the QO from the Celtics, just in case another team decides to clear cap room in an effort to sign him. That same source adds that Smart feels betrayed by the Celtics and there’s a “95% chance” that he won’t sign a long-term deal with them this summer.
Thanks Utah.
Boo Hoo No Brinks Truck for Marcus ”Not So Smart Smart”….Offer is fair Marky, get over yourself…Bang Bang Max says ”there is something suspicious about that car 99” 99 says ”Max they’re shooting at us ” Max says ”So that’s it”
Huh
Utube old episodes of “Get Smart” tv show . Spoof tv show about CIA/KGB in 60’s. Great stuff
I think paladin represents the new breed of playa hayta now that Lebron plays on the left coast.
Where is your logic.? You got comments but no logic. Go back to bed please. Playa Hayta That.
It is called East Coast /West Coast. Do you not know directions? Public school education. Poor boy
“Left coast” has connotations appropriate for a Maxwell Smart insert.
Like I said it’s the public school education. Process that.
It’s alright. That and Get Smart metaphors will not keep you from making something of yourself.
Who cares if the Celtics match? This isnt the NFL or MLB where picks are involved. So teams being afraid of matching does not make sense whatsoever. Afraid they wont get him next year? I highly doubt Smart is “the guy” a team is holding out for. He is a D and hustle guy that takes dumb shots. Lance 2.0 basically.
Agree, I think D Ainge knows how to handle the situation. He robbed Philly out of a #1 pick last year by trading back then maneuvered Magic man into picking Lonzo by saying he would draft Zo even if he didnt work out for Celtics. Got Tatum, easily best of the three. If I am a GM dealing with Ainge I would check my pockets before leaving the room
Well that is what happens when you disrespect/ignore players, they just want to be needed, wanted, loved, appreciated… & that isn’t the way. So Boston will have 1 year of him on the very cheap & bye bye Boston he will go. I am not a big fan of him, but I think teams need to realize that is a player focused league, they are the stars of the show, not the teams, teams are replaceable, you see teams changing cities, names & so on, & the show goes on, but is the players that are irreplaceable, the proof is in the lookouts. Without them there is no show, NBA is a showbiz after all.
They only feel respected when they get PAID…
You can pay everyone from Smart to Rozier to Morris 15m each and they will feel very respected indeed. But what you gonna have left to pay Kyrie and Brown? You will pay Kyrie 30m and pay 45m tax on top of that?
Lmao Marcus smart is very replaceable and I love the dude. The Celtics are the side which is irreplaceable in this scenario. Or do you think if they keep disrespecting their RFA’s by not overpaying them that they’ll be forced to move to Hartford?
They only feel respected when they get PAID…
You can pay everyone from Smart to Rozier to Morris 15m each and they will feel very respected indeed. But what you gonna have left to pay Kyrie and Brown? You will pay Kyrie 30m and pay 45m tax on top of that?
You can say that again.
It worked out stupendous for Nerlens Noel last season. Enjoy your minimum salary next year.
Exactly. He will be lucky to play 20 minutes a game on next years Celtics team.
Without injuries, he might not even get 20 minutes a game.
The Celtics HAVE shown him love. Backed him when he punched mirror in LA. Told everyone listening how important he was to the team and from owner to GM to coach and asst coach how much they want him back. The problem is he wants stupid money and Ainge know no team that has cap money needs a 30% shooter. He’s a very nice piece on a championship contending team but what’s he 8-9 in rotation behind bench of Brown Rozier Morris ?
Imo, smart is way more than a 8 or 9 rotational player, but probably only for a few teams in the league, one being boston. Could start for many teams in the league. What is his value? Like selling real estate, whatever someone is willing to give.
Agree. I thought he fell flat in Game 7. Expected more if he had showed more playoff expertise might be worth a bit more but no soap
Phoenix should buyout/stretch Jared Dudley and Troy Daniels, and get rid of the rest of their non guaranteed salary guys, and sign Smart to a deal with a trade kicker
I agree with the lesser $9mil NBA FO consensus. But in Smart’s defense, he does seem to score in unusual bonus-points ways, if not in normal just-make-the-shot ways.