During an interview with NBA reporter Mark Giannotto of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum made his first public comments about the Marcus Smart trade. The Celtics traded Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in the three-team trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.
“Sad to see him go, but happy for him to get a new start and excited to see what he does,” Tatum said about Smart. “They’re getting a leader. They’re getting a guy that’s a winner. He’s been to the playoffs every year. We’ve been to the (NBA) Finals together. He knows what it takes to get there. Obviously, he’s extremely talented. Best defender in the league. Just a guy you would love to have on your team.”
An anonymous member of the Grizzlies told NBA writer Keith Smith of Spotrac that the franchise is thrilled about acquiring Smart from the Celtics. Memphis believes Smart is a “perfect” fit.
“Marcus Smart is perfect for everything we want to be,” the anonymous member of the Grizzlies said. “We want our players to be tough, versatile, intelligent and to sacrifice for the team. And they have to represent what we want Grizzlies to be and to do right by Memphis. Marcus is going to teach some of our young guys how to win in ways they haven’t quite figured out yet. We couldn’t be happier to have him.”
Smart averaged 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists last season while shooting 41.5% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 74.6% from the free-throw line. The rugged defender, along with former NBA MVP Derrick Rose, will have to play very well while Ja Morant is out for the Grizzlies to stay competitive in the Western Conference. Morant will miss the first 25 games of next season. Both Smart and Rose are expected to mentor the superstar.
Celtics fans will give Smart a standing ovation when he comes back to the TD Garden next season. The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year is one of the top players in Boston franchise history.
