The Boston Celtics-Marcus Smart free agency negotiation just took a turn for the weird.
After reports days ago that both camps are nearing agreement on a new contract, it's now revealed via an article by the Boston Herald's Mark Murphy, that there have been no meetings at all.
The source, who is part of Smart's party, cites that the former Oklahoma State guard is appalled at the Celtics' lack of communication.
“He loves the Celtics, but with these crickets he’s hearing, he’s hurt and disgusted by it.”
Restricted free agents are typically more difficult to address during free agency since their respective team has the luxury to wait for the player to receive an offer and just match it while prospective suitors are concerned about tying up their cap space as the market dries up. But the Utah Jazz set a precedent early this week that it's perfectly possible to wrap up your own RFA, as they quickly agreed to a three-year deal with Dante Exum.
This, however, is not what frustrates the 6-foot-4 guard but rather the lack of contact from their general manager.
“I don’t think that bothers Marcus as much as no communication from Danny (Ainge). He’s just hurt and frustrated that Danny hasn’t reached out. That’s the most discouraging part of this whole thing. The last contact was a few days before free agency started.”
“Marcus doesn’t look at it that way — Oh, look what Dante got — but he does look at what he brings to the table for (the Celtics), and anyone who knows Marcus knows that he brings it all the time. Everyone knows he loves Boston. It’s his kind of place — loyal fans, a hard-nosed group. But there has been no progress in negotiations, regardless of what you might have read. That’s very untrue.”
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