[Saba Sports News] It’s clear from the information provided that Marcus Smart’s trade to the Memphis Grizzlies was unexpected and caught him by surprise. He believed he was safe from trade talks and had even been assured of that just a week prior to the trade. However, the Celtics had to make adjustments to their trade plans, which led to Smart being included in the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.
The trade appears to have caused some friction within the team, especially with Malcolm Brogdon, who was initially involved in trade discussions for Porzingis. Brogdon reportedly feels unsettled with the Celtics, both due to how the trade was handled and potentially also because of concerns about the handling of his elbow injury by the team.
As a result of these developments, it seems the Celtics may face challenges in their backcourt this season, with Smart’s absence being particularly felt. The team may have to rely on players like Derrick White alongside Jaylen Brown in the backcourt, while featuring a frontcourt rotation that includes Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and either Robert Williams or Al Horford. It will be essential for the team to come together to replace Smart’s contributions, both in terms of on-court performance and his renowned hustle and effort.
Overall, while there is some light-hearted banter between former Celtics teammates like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, the trade has had its share of complications and has left some players, particularly Malcolm Brogdon, feeling unhappy with the situation. The Celtics will need to navigate these challenges as they aim to compete for a championship.