Marcus Smart Shares Emotional Message After Grizzlies Trade

Marcus Smart is ready for a new chapter.

Marcus Smart was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics. No one expected him to leave the team this offseason, but everyone expected the goodbye to be emotional.

Smart posted an emotional goodbye for Boston fans on social media as he braced himself to become a new member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

"Where do I even begin...as I start to think about the last 9 years I have a lot of emotions running thru me. I came to Boston as a naive kid from Dallas not really knowing what to expect. All I knew was the type of work ethic my momma instilled in me and I was going to work my ass off and make sure I EARNED the respect of each and every one of the fans in Boston. Which is why this was tuff. Boston, you are a very special place to me. I grew up here and met some of my best friends here. I'll never forget my time here. Ultimately we didn't get that 18th banner but I'm VERY VERY proud of the success we had. I'm going to miss so many things about Boston but mainly my teammates, fans, and kids and our hospital charity work. It was a great 9 years Boston, thank you for all the love...but now it's time to look forward.

I can't wait to get to Memphis and get started. We have something special brewing here! Am blessed to be a part of Grizzly nation. Let's get to work."

It's very clear that Smart is hurt by Boston trading him, but it's also clear that he's ready for that next chapter in life. With Dillon Brooks likely leaving the Memphis Grizzlies, Smart will be the perfect replacement for him. Not only is he a better defender than Brooks, but he can also likely be a better locker-room leader.

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