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The Denver Nuggets are among the teams exploring a potential trade for Boston Celtics reserve guard Marcus Smart, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay has been made available in the trade, though it's likely the Celtics would want a first-round pick in return for his services.
Smart is currently out of commission for the next 10 days after suffering a hand laceration stemming from an off-court incident. A strong, powerful driver with deft all-around game, Smart is one of the Celtics' best hybrid assets, playing at eithe guard position and eager to get the toughest defensive task, even guarding small forwards at times, despite the since disparity.
The 6-foot-4 Oklahoma State product doesn't offer much in terms of shooting, but will make up for it with his energy and aggression as a spark plug off the bench.
The Nuggets have decided Jamal Murray has won the matchup with Mudiay, one that coach Mike Malone initially brought forward in the preseason. Murray has proven a far better shooter and has meshed better with the starting unit, making Smart a viable candidate to back him and Gary Harris in the front court.
Denver has seen plenty of struggles thanks to the injury to Paul Millsap and that lack of consistency that looms in the roster. Malone's hope is to get forward Will Barton back to his comfort zone as a sixth man, and a trade for Smart could potentially give him enough wiggle room to make him a staple of the bench.
