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3 Reasons Boston will regret trading Marcus Smart

By Colin Loughran

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)
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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Impact on local sports culture

As a city, Boston has struggled to find athletes that identify with the various sports teams and their fans. It is for this reason that legends like David Ortiz, Paul Pierce, and Zdeno Chara are revered by New Englanders. Marcus Smart was on track to be the next regional icon.

In his farewell Instagram message, Smart made it apparent that he greatly appreciated his time in Beantown.

“I came to Boston as a naive kid from Dallas not really knowing what to expect,” said Smart. “All I knew was the type of work ethic my momma instilled in me and I was going to work my ass off and make sure I EARNED the respect of each and every one of the fans in Boston. Which is why this was tuff. Boston, you are a very special place to me. I grew up here and met some of my best friends here. I’ll never forget my time here.”

One would be foolish to assume that front office decisions are made with emotions in mind. Executives are looking to put the best possible team on the court, not the one that is most appealing to fans.

However, culture matters. It’s one of the main reasons why the Miami Heat have been able to be so successful in the post-LeBron James era. Truthfully, there is more than one way to build a championship culture.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1675653923640856576?s=20

Having a core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart who’ve quite literally “grown up” in Boston compete for a championship was a powerful dynamic that would have surely enticed future free agents to come join the cause.

Even if the trio never would have gone on to recruit a fourth “star,” it’s fully possible that role players would have been willing to sign with the Celtics after seeing them come within just a few wins of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Smart’s clear love of the city would have helped the Celtics recruit these kinds of free agent targets and convince them that Boston was the place where they could win a championship in front of some of basketball’s best fans.

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