Per Woj: Memphis Grizzlies acquire Marcus Smart from Boston Celtics

Talk about a late-night stunner for the Grizzlies of Memphis. A veteran combo guard is coming to bring a veteran presence the team sorely needs.

The Boston Celtics are finalizing a deal to acquire the Washington Wizards’ Kristaps Porzingis, sources tell ESPN. Porzingis is opting into his $36M contract for 2023-2024 and getting his trade to the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/tRVEfI8nnI

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

This is how it started. Then, things escalated from a Grizzlies perspective.

Washington is completing a three-way deal with Boston and Memphis that will send guard Tyus Jones to the Wizards, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/tQgoW60nQz

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

Getting warmer…

The Celtics are trading Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies as part of deal, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

Oh my.

Marcus Smart, the last Defensive Player of the Year before Jaren Jackson Jr. won the award, is reportedly now going to be a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Wow. And there is a cost.

The Grizzlies are sending 2023 and 2024 first-round picks to the Celtics, sources tell ESPN. Grizzlies are sending No. 25 on Thursday night and 2024 pick via Golden State for Smart.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

So Memphis, as of now, is no longer selecting in the 1st round of the 2023 NBA Draft. And the Golden State 1st they acquired to take on the Andre Iguodala contract years ago has now been used to bring in Marcus Smart.

Smart is not a starting small forward. He’s inconsistent from three point land (a career 32.3% shooter beyond the arc) and theoretically is a more expensive long-term replacement for Tyus Jones, who now departs Memphis to be a full-time starting point guard in Washington. Draft capital has officially been spent – and it was for a player who technically does not solve a starting forward problem.

But he does solve a leadership from a veteran player issue – Marcus Smart is among the most fiery and passionate players in the NBA. And he also solves the Dillon Brooks “elite defender” issue. He was not what he was defensively the previous season, but he was still impactful in that space. And it cannot be stressed enough – he immediately fills a need for a player who knows how to win in the playoffs, and how to compete on a high level consistently.

Plus, the Grizzlies still have a Mid-Level Exception to utilize in free agency to acquire a “starting” small forward to fill out the roster to start July.

There will likely be more to the Memphis offseason now that this trade has been completed. Stick with Bluff City Media all summer long.