Marcus Smart signed a four-year contract with the Boston Celtics, a deal that didn't look like it was going to get done at the beginning of the offseason. Smart has played with the Celtics since they drafted him with the 6th pick in the 2014 draft and he said that Boston now feels like a second home to him.
“I was drafted here, I've been here my whole career and I feel like I'm a part of the Boston community. Boston is a second home to me.”
Smart: "I was drafted here, I've been here my whole career and I feel like I'm a part of the Boston community. Boston is a second home to me."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 20, 2018
At the beginning of the offseason, Smart's camp felt like they weren't drawing enough interest from the Celtics, but Smart didn't draw much interest from many teams. Smart wasn't signed to an offer sheet from any other team but the Celtics still made it a priority to lock him up long term. According to Jared Weiss, keeping Marcus Smart was Danny Ainge's top priority this summer.
“Keeping Marcus in a Celtics uniform was a top priority, and we’re excited to have accomplished that. His intensity is unmatched and the level of toughness that he brings to the team through the course of the entire season is second to none.”
With Smart signing the extension, the Celtics will be in the luxury tax unless they make some more roster moves before the season starts.
Smart dealt with two major injuries last year, and one was self-inflicted. He punched a glass picture frame in a hotel room and missed some games, and he also tore ligaments in his hand diving for a loose ball. The Celtics need him to stay healthy next year as they try to compete for an Eastern Conference title.
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