Marcus Smart Says Celtics Told Him He Was Safe Before Trading Him: 'It was a Shock'

In trading Marcus Smart, the Celtics sacrificed the heart and soul of their team. They believe it was a necessary price to pay for a better chance at Banner 18.

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As Marcus Smart prepares for his next chapter, which, after nine years in Boston and being the longest-tenured player on the Celtics, takes him to Memphis, the former Defensive Player of the Year's YounGameChanger Foundation held a Pro-Am Tournament, The 14 League, at the Dana Barros Club in Stoughton, MA.

There, Smart conveyed that a week before the three-team deal bringing Kristaps Porzingis, who agreed to a two-year, approximately $60 million extension Friday, to Boston and making the former a member of the Grizzlies, he was told, "we were good, and there was no trade talks of me."

Marcus Smart on the trade from #Celtics: "It was definitely shocking to find out that way... the week before, I was already told we were good, there were no trade talks with me"

📺Full Interview: https://t.co/F1WnjzAQKw

✍️Full Story: https://t.co/z6sMlMHpId

⚡️by @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/VIgoBTbSzN

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) July 2, 2023

The Celtics' former floor general, who said "it was a shock," shared he was asleep when the transaction transpired, and around midnight, his agent called his fiancé, who then woke him up.

While the franchise was rushing to beat the midnight deadline for Porzingis to exercise his $36 million player option and salvage the deal after the original framework, involving sending Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers, fell through due to a poor medical evaluation, it's unfortunate this is how he found out about the trade, rather than first hearing from the organization.

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"I went to the gym (the) next day, got my stuff, and then I talked to Brad (Stevens) and Joe (Mazzulla), and a couple of other guys that were there," said Smart.

But while caught off guard, given his recent conversations with the team, he also made clear, "I understand the business side of it, and I've always been like that. Anybody that knows me, knows that I'm the first one to tell people, you can't put personal with business, it just doesn’t mix, and if you do, you're gonna get yourself hurt.

"I understand it's a business. But for me, it was just the courtesy. They probably already knew that they were thinking about trading me. They had this trade in their back pocket just in case something else didn't happen. And for me, it's just the simple fact, 'Hey, we're thinking about trading you; most likely, we'll trade you, just letting you know.' 'Thank you, I appreciate that.' Especially with telling me the week before, and then my house flooding, and having to deal with that. It was a whole lot at once.

"But I love this team. I love this organization. I love the people, the fans, and everybody, the support I've always gotten here for my nine years. I'm definitely gonna miss it, but I'm excited and energetic to start my new chapter in my life with the Grizzlies."

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Reportedly Recruiting Damian Lillard to Join Celtics

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

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

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

Jordan Walsh Discusses His First Celtics' Practice, Summer League Goals, and a Grant Williams Anecdote

Celtics Sign Forward Oshae Brissett

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Signing Terence Davis

Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis Agree to 2-Year, $60 Million Extension

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

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

Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis