Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'

In trading Marcus Smart, the Celtics are parting with who's been the heart and soul of the team and a franchise culture setter.

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Marcus Smart took tremendous pride in being the longest-tenured player on the Celtics.

In a wide-ranging interview last week with this author, he conveyed the following while discussing how he approaches the game.

"I've always played the game of basketball the same way, leaving it all out on the court each and every time I play because you never know when it's your last time playing. My mom instilled that in me at a young age. It has gotten me this far, so I won't be changing that now. My teammates feed off my energy. As the longest-tenured Celtic, I feel like it's my responsibility to continue to play "Celtics basketball." Continue to get my rehab each and every day, eat healthily and strive for greatness."

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When Smart arrived in Boston as the sixth overall pick in the 2014 Draft, the franchise was early in its rebuild following an era defined by its modern big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.

Despite the situation he stepped into, in his nine years with the Celtics, they made the playoffs every season. That includes five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and coming within two wins of a title.

According to Michael Pina from The Ringer, Smart's never had a season with a negative net rating, meaning every year of his career, Boston's always outscored its opponent with him on the court. He has been the heart and soul of the franchise and a culture setter.

On the heels of a draft that netted the Celtics Jordan Walsh and a bevy of future second-round picks, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens discussed the difficult decision to trade Smart to acquire Kristaps Porzingis.

"Really hard. I said this at the start of the summer, I thought that we needed to balance our roster and make sure that we looked at the best ways to do that. And that meant that we were going to likely lose a really, really, really good player. And as far as Marcus, as I told him, when he got here, we were 25 and 57 the year before. And the greatest legacy that you can leave is to be someplace, and it's better off because you were there.

"And I think that everybody here feels that way. I think that he will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here for any number of reasons. Obviously, everybody loved the way that he plays, and how hard he plays, but also his work in the community. We're all really grateful to have had Marcus in our life for as long as we've had, and we're sad to see him go but know that he's gonna have a huge impact on that really good Memphis team. So, very difficult, very difficult conversations. Really hard to do. But he'll always have Boston, for sure. I think that Boston really appreciates him, and certainly I do, and he knows (I) will do anything for him, but it was hard."

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Stevens said his conversation with Smart wasn't long, but it was his best chance to share his gratitude to the latter.

"He actually came in this morning, so I got to see him. It's just (that) you're not going to be around a guy that you really like every day. But you know you always have the relationship that these teammates have, these coaches have, and everybody in the building and everybody in the organization has that they can, that'll be forever."

Further Reading

Scouting Report on Celtics' Second-Round Pick Jordan Walsh

Celtics Swing 4 Draft-Day Trades, Add Future Second-Round Capital

After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?

Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade From Boston Celtics

The Latest on Malcolm Brogdon's Forearm Strain

Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Trade Marcus Smart to Grizzlies in Blockbuster Deal

Grant Williams Not Expected Back If Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis

Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18

Celtics Add Former Teammate of Jayson Tatum to Coaching Staff

Rick Barry Says Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Suffer From “Westbrook Syndrome”

Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson