The Boston Celtics have considered restricted free agent Marcus Smart their top priority, but the Eastern Conference powerhouse is in no rush to bid against themselves this summer, according to Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald.
While the Celtics could be first to the trigger and shoot him a formal offer, other teams could step up and make him a proposal that could prove tough to match. Expect the Celtics to be reactive, rather than proactive with contract negotiations, as Smart (like the rest of NBA free agents) could opt to stay on a one-year deal and try his luck again during a rousing 2019 offseason.
The Celtics could try to revisit a four-year, $48 million offer from earlier in the season, but the defensive ace has been vocal believing in his worth exceeds the $12-million-per-year range.
“He appears to be viewing his worth relative to others as a percentage, but that can be problematic, especially this summer. With the cap expected to rise significantly in 2019, however, Smart is said to believe he will get what he feels is right. That could lead him accepting the one-year qualifying offer of $6,053,719 for the chance to become an unrestricted free agent.”
Players like Gerald Green, Trevor Ariza, Rajon Rondo, and many more have opted for short-term deals in order to hunt for big money in 2019, where teams will benefit from a more ample cap.
If Smart bets on himself, he will have to show some level of improvement on his shooting to reel in the big bucks, as that has proved the major impediment in his game to take him from a defensive specialist to an all-around dynamo.
Follow Us
Subscribe