Grizzlies Star Reacts to Marcus Smart for Tyus Jones Trade
One of the most exciting parts of the Memphis Grizzlies acquiring Marcus Smart is their ability to pair the last two Defensive Player of the Year winners together. With Jaren Jackson Jr. winning the award last season, Memphis will be able to pair him with Smart, who was the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year winner.
While this is an exciting development, Jackson Jr. recently shared his disappointed reaction to losing Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards in this three-team trade:
Jones has been a very important piece to the Grizzlies' success over the last few seasons, especially when Ja Morant has been out of the lineup. Many have described the Grizzlies as having two starting-level point guards, because Jones was often playing at a level far beyond that of a traditional backup. While Memphis is excited to get Smart, they will certainly miss Jones.
While Jones was undoubtedly a huge piece for the Grizzlies last season and beyond, his playoff performance against the Los Angeles Lakers was problematic, and showed the Grizzlies' need for a potential upgrade in that spot. Marcus Smart has a lot of playoff experience, having appeared in 108 postseason games during his time with the Celtics.
Providing the Grizzlies with defense and experience, Smart should also be a much-needed veteran leader in a locker room that could use a voice like that.
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