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2014 NBA Draft: Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart Player Profile

By Nathan Giese

Jan 27, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) reacts during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 88-76. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) reacts during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 88-76. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Potential Landing Spots:

Since the end of last season Marcus Smart has been projected to be a top-five selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. He’s slipped a bit for several reason but the biggest of which is his run-in at Texas Tech. As you may recall, Smart stumbled into the stands during the road game and shoved a fan and walked away. Chaos ensued, people started questioning Smart’s maturity and ended up with a three-game suspension. While his draft stock did not plummet because most scouts and general managers see it as an anomaly in Smart’s otherwise spotless character, it will be a topic of discussion moving forward. 

Teams That Make Sense: 

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant should return for the full season in 2014-15 but the rest of the Lakers organization is completely up in the air. There’s no telling what’s going to happen with Pau Gasol, Nick Young (sorry, there is no Nick Young, only Swaggy P) and there’s no real big man in L.A.. Not to mention the point guard situation is a huge mess.

The Lakers are going to attempt to make some kind of big name free agent signing this summer but they’re going to need to make a splash in the draft as well. Smart could come in right away with confidence and a chip on his shoulder. He’d team up with a constant winner in Bryant and try to right his losing ship while being at Oklahoma State.

Sacramento Kings: Some want to believe that Isaiah Thomas is the answer for the Kings at the point guard position it’s still a question for the future. Thomas is averaging more than 20 points per game this year and leads the team in assists but the Kings are only 27-50, on pace to finish with the same record they had last season (28-54). There’s no improvement happening in Sacramento and that’s the ultimate key for NBA success.

Bringing in Smart to at least compete with Thomas for the starting role would do wonders for both. Thomas was sort of handed the starting point guard role when Sacramento made the trade for Rudy Gay. No matter who ends up being the starter for the Kings will be given the keys to the future of the franchise. The oldest starter for the Kings this season is Rudy Gay (27). Some good, young talent to lead the way in Sacramento.

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