Marcus Smart Set To Be A Restricted Free Agent, Boston Hopes To Keep Him

By Jordan Long

The Boston Celtics were dismissed from the NBA playoffs with a loss in the Eastern Conference Finals game 7 to the Cleveland Cavaliers 87-79. With that, the Celtics are now in the offseason. A major looming decision is about point guard Marcus Smart. He is a restricted free agent meaning the Celtics can match any offer another team gives him.

Smart would like to stay in Boston. According to ESPN, Smart said, “I got a lot to think about. There’s a lot of factors that go into it. But that being said, I want to be in Boston. I want to be here. I love this city, I love this team, I love the atmosphere it gives off. I’ve been here for four years. My heart’s here. But there’s definitely going to be some factors going into it.”

In the regular season he was valuable coming off the bench, appearing in 54 games and starting 11 of them. When Smart was in the game, the offense flowed. He would set up plays for the Celtics and feed his teammates for points. Smart averaged 10.2 points and 4.8 assists per game. On defense he was able to steal the ball and start fast break point opportunities.

In the postseason, he played in 15 games and started 4 of them. Smart averaged 5.3 assists and 9.8 points per game. On defense he stole the ball 1.7 times per game.

Looking at those numbers, the Celtics must do whatever they can to keep Smart.   They know if he reaches free agency teams will want him. Some teams may have him as a starter while others will have him as a backup point guard.

The problem with the Celtics keeping him is money. Smart believes he is worth more than $12 to $14 million a year because of how he influences the game. That is a lot of money to pay a non-starter.

The Celtics are going to weigh their options during the offseason. They want Smart back but they shouldn’t overpay for him. If they let him go, it is not the worst decision. They are still a playoff team with championship aspirations next season. Kyrie Irving should be back. Boston will take their time and make the decision they feel is best for them moving forward.