With Marcus Smart's situation with the Boston Celtics still hanging in the balance, the Sacramento Kings are preparing deal that would hopefully lure him in.
As per A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports, the Kings are looking to land Smart after failing to get Zach LaVine:
Source: After striking out on Zach Levine, the Sacramento Kings are preparing to put together an offer #Celtics Marcus Smart.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) July 10, 2018
Recently, the 23-year-old LaVine received a four-year $80-million contract from the Kings. But only a few hours later, the Chicago Bulls exercised their right of first refusal and matched the offer sheet.
Now, the Kings are eyeing Smart — who is reportedly frustrated with the Celtics. Well within the offseason, Smart — a critical part of the Celtics' defense and overall success — has not received an offer. The Celtics reportedly have not been in communication with the 24-year-old.
Head coach Brad Stevens has commented on the matter, noting that they all want Smart back. He remains clueless with regard to the financial aspects of it. All he knows that the team, including Danny Ainge, would love to have Smart don the Celtic green again. Per Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, Stevens said:
“Everybody in here wants Marcus Smart back at the end of the day. Danny would echo the same sentiments. He’s a winning basketball player and he has a contagious effect with how he plays. The one part of the front office work I don’t have a sense of or get into is the numbers, but everybody wants him back.”
Whether or not Stevens' words turn into fruitful deals for both the Celtics and Smart is a case of wait-and-see. After failing to land a rising star, the Kings are taking any means necessary to avoid another rejection. The next few days and weeks will be interesting for the three parties concerned.
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