Report: Ex-Celtic Marcus Smart traded to Washington Wizards
Smart heads to Washington, where he'll team up with Malcolm Brogdon.
The Grizzlies traded guard Marcus Smart to the Washington Wizards Wednesday in a multi-team deal on the day of the trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Smart lasted just two seasons in Memphis after spending his first nine seasons with the Celtics.
According to ESPN, the Grizzlies sent Smart and a 2025 first-round pick to the Wizards. They will receive a pair of second-round picks in return. The move will create “roster flexibility” for the Grizzlies, Charania said.
Memphis has the fourth-best record (35-16) in the NBA, trailing the Celtics, Thunder, and Cavaliers. They are attempting to position themselves for a deep playoff run.
The return for Smart in this trade was not nearly as robust as the one the Celtics got when they traded Smart to Memphis. Boston netted Kristaps Porzingis and a pair of first-round picks in that trade.
In the years leading up to his departure from Boston, Smart was one of the best defenders in the NBA. He won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. He was selected to the all-defensive first-team in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
But, injuries began to hamper Smart’s production once he got to Memphis. He played in 39 of 133 games during his time with the Grizzlies. He has played in 19 games this season with six starts, averaging 8.7 points off the bench. He’s averaging a career-low 1.6 steals per game and shooting 35.8 percent from the field.
The Wizards (9-41) own the worst record in the NBA. The Celtics swept their first three matchups against the Wizards this season, winning each game by at least 12 points. The Wizards, who also have former Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon on the roster, will return to TD Garden on April 6th.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com