Mark Murphy: Stevens naturally wants Smart back: “Everybody in the building would tell you we would love to have Marcus back. Marcus has been great here – a big part of our DNA.”
Marcus Smart Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 03/06/94
Height: 6-4 / 1.93
Weight:225 lbs. / 102.1 kg.
Salary: $4,538,019
Born: 03/06/94
Height: 6-4 / 1.93
Weight:225 lbs. / 102.1 kg.
Salary: $4,538,019
Ainge could easily kick back, use that 27th overall draft pick on a project center who may be ready in two years and keep his team intact. And that very well could be the plan. A team source said the Celtics want to bring back Marcus Smart and keep Terry Rozier for added depth and being a fully loaded roster next season, where they will be the favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
Celtics expected to tender qualifying offer to Marcus Smart
Ojeleye has $950,000 protected that will increase to full ($1.4 million) if he is not waived by July 15. Nader has $450,000 protected that will increase to full ($1.4 million) if he is not waived by Aug. 1. Expect the Celtics to tender Smart his $6 million qualifying offer before the June 29 deadline. The guard will become restricted with Boston having the right to match any offers.
The guard is impacted by three factors: the lack of teams with cap space, depth at starting point guard and the finances of the Celtics in the future. Will another team invest $10 million to $12 million on a player to come off the bench? Maybe in 2016 when the cap spiked, but not two years later. For the reasons above, don’t be surprised if Smart signs his $6 million qualifying offer and enters free agency in 2019 as an unrestricted free agent. Unless, of course, Boston makes an offer with the intent of using the contract as a tradeable asset.
Smart, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, was told that Boston might not be able — or willing — to afford the $12-14 million a year price tag that he reportedly has been seeking. “To be honest, I’m worth more than 12-14 million,” Smart told ESPN. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”
Marcus Smart asked about his future: “To be honest I’m not even thinking about that right now. My mind’s still on this loss and to be honest my mind is on my family right now.” His mom was recently diagnosed with cancer. I’m sure he can’t wait to get to Texas to see her.
