Great move for the Grizz. Sad day for Celtics fans.
Agreed. I didn't see Smart getting traded. I'm really going to miss him.
However, if you take a step back you can see how Brad might see the core of Tatum, Brown, Smart as not being able to win a championship. Of those 3, there isn't one elite ball handler who can initiate and direct the offense when things get tight. I'd rather play to Tatum's and Brown's strengths rather than try to shoehorn them into primary playmaking responsibilities.
I think the calculus was, "we have a logjam at PG, we need more frontcourt depth with Al getting older, and we need to find a way to stop committing those bad turnovers late in playoff games."
The KP trade doesn't solve it all in one motion but maybe there are more moves to come that will complement this trade and potentially solve the problems I stated above.
He played 60 something last season? Not great I agree. I too am worried about the injury risk. We kind of need the Celtics to have 1 season of good injury luck!
The Celtics didn't have a 1st round draft pick this year so I don't think the quality of the draft class factors much into it. But who knows? Maybe they'll find a diamond in the rough with the Grizzlies 2023 and 2024 pick.
It is pretty bananas. Let it not be said that Brad is afraid to shake shit up though!
If I have all the details correct:
Grizzlies get Marcus Smart
Wizards get Tyus Jones, Gallinari, Muscala, Boston's 35th pick
Boston gets Porzingis, Grizzlies 2023 1st round pick, and 2024 1st round pick (via Golden State)
Eric Gordon on that 2yr/6M was also a strong bargain. Suns doing well this off season.