Marcus Smart never saw it coming.
The former Celtics guard said he was blindsided by the three-team trade that sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies – and brought Kristaps Porzingis from Washington D.C. to Boston.
“It was definitely shocking to find out that way, especially because the week before, I was already told we were good, there were no trade talks with me and we were good,” the nine-year veteran told reporters on Sunday in his first public comments since the trade.
“I understand the business side of it, I’ve always been like that. I’m the first one to tell anyone, you can’t mix personal with business, it just doesn’t mix. I understand it’s a business. For me, it’s just the courtesy. They probably already knew they were thinking about trading me, they had this trade in their back pocket just in case something else didn’t happen.
“And for me, it’s just the simple fact, hey, we’re thinking about trading you, most likely we’ll trade you, just letting you know, thank you. Especially with telling me the week before, my house flooding and having to deal with that. It was a whole lot at once. I love this team, I love this organization, I love the fans and the support I’ve gotten for my nine years. I’m excited and energetic to start my new life with the Grizzlies.”
Smart had been an integral part of not only his team’s play on the court, but as a veteran leader and gritty presence in the locker room as well.
The former Defensive Player of the Year always played with a chip on his shoulder, which both endeared himself to teammates and also led to confrontations with opponents on the court.
However, with Smart departing for Memphis, he knows that All-NBA forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have to take a big step in their development as leaders.
“It’s gonna be fun for those guys. It’s gonna be challenging, there’s gonna be ups-and-downs,” Smart said. “That’s the beauty about growth. It’s another part of their game that they’re just gonna continue to evolve in. Even though I won’t be here and part of it, I’m proud of those guys and I can’t wait to see the growth that they accomplish. But I’m excited to see them take the next step in their games, not from a basketball standpoint on the court, but a leadership role and really taking hold of this team.”
After their fifth Eastern Conference Finals appearance in seven years and the acquisition of Porzingis, Boston seems primed to continue making deep postseason runs.
But Smart’s presence will be missed, both as a player and as a person.
“It was hard, seeing the texts, hearing the guy’s voices saying the goodbyes, reminiscing on the good times,” Smart said. “To be able to be with one group of guys in a city for so long, it’s tough … Jayson and Jaylen are my brothers for life, and I don’t think what the people see is enough of what and how our relationship really is.
“We’ve been through a lot together, we’ve been through the fire. My mom passed away and J.B. was actually one of people on that plane that came to Dallas to the funeral. So I just want to shut all the rumors down now that me and J.B. had beef. I have no beef with anybody with the Celtics, none of my teammates, I love those guys, they love me.”