3 Reasons Boston will regret trading Marcus Smart

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter in game five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on April 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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While Boston Celtics fans’ may now have embraced Kristaps Porzingis and their new draft picks, it is still debatable as to whether or not losing Marcus Smart was a worthy trade-off.

One could argue there are three main reasons why trading the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year to the Memphis Grizzlies could backfire on Boston.

Spark on defense

As alluded to, Smart is an elite defender who was a key reason why the Celtics made it all the way to the NBA Finals in 2022. Without his work on the perimeter, the C’s would have struggled to get past teams like Miami or Milwaukee.

Last season, Smart had the second best STL% on the team and led the club in terms of total steals. It is not known if Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown will be able to continually defend at a high level without the support that Smart typically provided.

Indeed, Porzingis could grab a decent number of rebounds throughout the season but is not the same kind of ferocious defender.

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