Joe Mazzulla Opens Up About Marcus Smart's Departure: 'You're Never Going to Replace a Guy Like Him'

In trading Marcus Smart and acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are making a three-pronged gamble.

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The Celtics decided their best path to Banner 18 involved shaking up the core of their roster. Even if the Clippers were comfortable with the information they had about Malcolm Brogdon and the original framework of the trade sending Kristaps Porzingis to Boston went through, Marcus Smart likely would've been involved in another deal.

As the team's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, opened up about after the draft, by no means was it an easy or wanted decision to trade the former Defensive Player of the Year, who had been with the organization for nine years and took tremendous pride in being the franchise's longest-tenured player.

"Really hard," stated Stevens, who began to get emotional while discussing trading Smart.

"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."

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, Porzingis' introductory press conference, represented the first time head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke publicly about Smart's departure.

Joe Mazzulla on the loss of Marcus Smart & how Kristaps Porziņģis can help fill that void in the locker room pic.twitter.com/ayEbnwYpCy

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 29, 2023

Afterward, in a side session, Mazzulla met with the media, where he discussed his conversation with the Celtics' former floor general after the deal went through.

"It's tough. I was able to talk to him after. I told him that I loved him and that I appreciate who he is as a person. You're never going to replace a guy like him. Everything he's done on the court, what he's done for his teammates, and what he's done in the community for the city of Boston, you're not going to replace that, so it's not worth even thinking about that.

"At the end of the day, that's what happened, it's kind of how the business goes, and I appreciate how he handled it. And we had a great conversation, and I know he's gonna do great things in Memphis."

Boston's decision to acquire Porzingis and move on from Smart represents a three-pronged gamble. That includes the hope and belief Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will take further ownership of this team.

"Any time you lose something, it's an opportunity for others to grow in those areas," expressed Mazzulla. "And so I think it's a good opportunity for our roster now to develop their identity (and) to grow as far as their communication. But like I said, some of the things he's able to do you're not going to replace. It's a matter of the guys that are on our team, how can we maximize them and get the best out of them."

Further Reading

Brad Stevens Discusses Potential Porzingis Extension, Celtics' Ability to Spend More: 'We've Got the Green Light'

Kristaps Porzingis on Teaming with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: 'I Think It Can Be a Great Combination'

Kristaps Porzingis Says Joining Celtics Was an 'Easy Decision'

Grant Williams Discusses Marcus Smart's Departure, Free Agency, and Recovery from Hand Surgery

The Latest Intel on Celtics' Restricted Free Agent Grant Williams

Jordan Walsh Let's Celtics Fan Know What He Brings to the Table: 'A Guy Who Wants to Do Whatever It Takes to Win'

Jordan Walsh Discusses Getting Drafted by Celtics, His Welcome to Boston

Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis

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

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

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

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