Marcus Smart: 3 potential landing spots in 2018 NBA free agency

2. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are another young team that could use Smart’s services and have the financial flexibility to do so. However, like the Kings, the team has shown no interest in signing the 24-year-old.

As I wrote in my Zach LaVine piece, the Hawks want to use their cap space to take on unwanted contracts — along with prospects and draft picks — in lieu of overpaying role players. Inking Smart to an expensive contract would run counter to that plan.

I would feel differently about this had the Celtics not given Smart a qualifying offer. Since they did, teams will have to put in a substantial offer to try and sign him. Based on Boston’s resistance to giving him an extension, that’s what it will take to get Smart.

Atlanta remains committed to starting Trae Young and Kevin Huerter in the backcourt while also having Kent Bazemore under contract. Smart could be useful to them as a backup — especially if they trade Dennis Schroder — but the Celtics may have made the cost too high.

Still, the Hawks have the cap space and the need for Smart. Unfortunately, Boston has made it hard for anyone other than them to land him, even teams with cap space like the Hawks.