<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cam-johnson-marcus-smart-trade-grizzlies-nets');   ga('set', 'title', 'The Cam Johnson-Marcus Smart trade Grizzlies must make with Nets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Cam-Johnson-Marcus-Smart-trade-Grizzlies-must-make-with-Nets.jpg"></figure><h1>The Cam Johnson-Marcus Smart trade Grizzlies must make with Nets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T14:29:26-08:00">December 20th, 2:29pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T14:29:26-08:00">December 20th, 2:29pm</time><address><a>Kris Pursiainen</a>Kris Pursiainen is an Associate Editor for all sports based in the NJ/NYC area. Kris brings several years of experience reporting on and writing about professional teams to the table. With experience all over the country as a New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Mets, Super Bowl LVIII, and Big East beat reporter, Kris has been breaking news and reporting on the NBA, NFL, MLB, and college basketball landscapes for years. Kris is a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Trading <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-warriors-serious-pursuit-dennis-schroder-trade-with-nets">Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors</a> for an injured player, an undrafted rookie, and draft capital is a loud way to signal that you’re ready to sell what you’ve built for parts. The Brooklyn Nets are 11-16 and 5-14 against other Eastern Conference opponents.</p><p>The playoffs were certainly not a guarantee and the time has come to pursue productive losses in an effort to capture the (Cooper) Flagg. Dorian Finney-Smith’s contract is expiring with a player-option for next season. Contending teams will have interest. But he’s not the biggest prize available on this Nets’ roster.</p><p>I wrote about <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-cam-johnson-trade-2024-25-season">the extent to which Cam Johnson is shining on this Nets team</a> after their first 22 games. And said that they should trade him before the deadline – both because his value may never be higher and the team should be looking to lose. The trade proposed in that article landed Johnson on the Indiana Pacers in what was a consolidation of talent and draft capital.</p><p>The Pacers’ season has yet to turn around as the team is still only 13-15. Injuries are still dragging the team down. And Indiana may not be willing to part with draft capital to improve midseason in what might feel like a panic move.</p><p>But the Memphis Grizzlies are in a much different situation than the Pacers. The team has won eight of its last 10 games and has the only claim to the West’s second seed.</p><h2><b>The Nets’ Cam Johnson is the missing piece for the Memphis Grizzlies</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cam-Johnson-Grizzlies-Nets_6908fa.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Grizzlies are 19-9 and look like the promising young team they were supposed to be. Last year’s 27-55 campaign was headlined by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-star-ja-morant-takes-accountability-after-eye-opening-therapy">lead star Ja Morant’s absence</a> but it’s clear that it’s in the past.</p><p>The team has the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense?dir=A&amp;sort=DEF_RATING" rel="noopener">fifth-best defensive rating in the NBA</a>. And that has made way for Morant to be <a href="https://dunksandthrees.com/player/1629630/historical" rel="noopener">on track to have the most impactful season of his career thus far</a> according to EPM, an advanced analytic utilized often by NBA personnel. Memphis has the assets and salaries to make a trade that can help them win in this season and in future campaigns. The right target just has to come along.</p><p>Johnson is signed through the 2026-27 season to a rate of approximately $21.8 million per season. His estimated offensive plus/minus this season has, somehow, increased. Johnson’s +3.6 O-EPM is in the NBA’s 95th percentile. My previous article referenced his +3.3 rating (94th percentile at the time) as being both a career-high and beyond impressive. Johnson has continued to out-do himself.</p><p>A <a href="https://x.com/OldManAndThree/status/1869803522151330273" rel="noopener">recent discussion</a> on The Young Man And the Three between Johnson and WNBA legend Sue Bird showed fans the perspective Johnson has gained over the course of his career. He has gone from being <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-cameron-johnson-thought-it-was-funny-when-he-first-saw-coby-whites-reaction-to-his-selection-in-nba-draft">viewed as a “reach” for the Phoenix Suns in the draft</a> to being part of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cam-johnson-proving-his-value-nets-key-piece-kevin-durant-trade">return for superstar Kevin Durant.</a></p><p>Johnson was thrust into a leadership role for the Nets this season after they traded Mikal Bridges to the other borough’s team. And he’s responded incredibly well, both on and off the court. He would likely fit smoothly into what Memphis is building. And help them elevate their offense to the next level.</p><p>The Grizzlies surrendered draft capital to acquire Marcus Smart from the Celtics in a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, where he won a championship at the end of that season. Ouch.</p><p>Smart has been an important part of Memphis’ defense but has struggled mightily on the offensive side of the court. The Grizzlies have defensive stalwarts like Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Vince Williams Jr. as part of their core. The team can afford to utilize Smart in a deal that allows them to retain their core pieces such as Morant, Bane, Clarke, both Jaren and GG Jackson, and youngsters Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and Scotty Pippen Jr.</p><h2><b>Marcus Smart can help the Brooklyn Nets on and off the court </b></h2><figure><img src="https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1301268587234726009/1319509914183532674/wdMUilwhMmcvQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg.png?ex=6766e19e&amp;is=6765901e&amp;hm=14427050e1cb898b32c4dc65fefae6b7acc53254a2a32a58382eae05a75632ff&amp;=&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=lossless&amp;width=2192&amp;height=966"></figure><p>The Grizzlies declined Jake LaRavia’s team option for next season, rendering him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year. The Nets traded for a castaway Memphis wing this past offseason with plans to give them opportunity, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-nets-grizzlies-ziaire-williams-trade">having just done so with Ziaire Williams</a>.</p><p>But the real return for Brooklyn is the Grizzlies’ 2025 first-round pick, currently the 27th pick in that draft, and their 2027 first-round pick protected from picks 1-10. The 2027 pick would convert to Memphis’ 2030 and 2031 second-round draft selections if it did not convey in 2027.</p><p>And having Smart under contract through next season, when he becomes an expiring contract worth about $21.5 million, could prove to be incredibly valuable. Brooklyn attempts to capitalize on Johnson’s shining start to the season by acquiring future draft capital and opening up playing time for talent they want to evaluate.</p><p>They also give up Keon Johnson, who has a team option for next season at about $2.4 million, to make the money work. Memphis can figure out what to do with him later.</p><p>Johnson would immediately replace the 22.9 minutes per game that LaRavia has played this season and more. There are not any Grizzlies averaging 30 minutes per game or more thus far, indicative of head coach Taylor Jenkins’ style, the depth on the team, and the injuries they’ve dealt with thus far. But once players such as Williams Jr. and Jackson II return from injury, the team will have all of the pieces it needs to try and make it out of the Western Conference.</p><p>The Grizzlies may be wary of trading Smart so soon after acquiring him to be part of their core. Smart fits what the team has built very well. But Johnson, and his efficient floor-spacing contributions, represent the level of team the Grizzlies could ascend to.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The Cam Johnson-Marcus Smart trade Grizzlies must make with Nets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-jaylen-brown-still-considers-marcus-smart-family-grizzlies-loss');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Celtics’ Jaylen Brown still considers Marcus Smart ‘family’ after Grizzlies loss');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Celtics-news-Why-Jaylen-Brown-still-considers-Marcus-Smart-family-after-Grizzlies-loss.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Celtics’ Jaylen Brown still considers Marcus Smart ‘family’ after Grizzlies loss</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-08T08:57:59-08:00">December 8th, 8:57am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-08T08:57:59-08:00">December 8th, 8:57am</time><address><a>Daniel Donabedian</a>Daniel Donabedian is a beat reporter for ClutchPoints covering the Boston Celtics. He's also covered Villanova men's basketball and Big East basketball, building a strong reputation in the northeast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>BOSTON — Memphis Grizzlies point guard Marcus Smart hasn’t been with the Boston Celtics for over a year. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-marcus-smarts-great-trade-admission-will-catch-celtics-fans-attention">The offseason trade</a> that sent the nine-year Celtic out of Beantown in 2023 shocked fans and players, yet Smart’s departure never changed the fact that he is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-why-jayson-tatum-believes-marcus-smart-celtic-life">still family in the eyes of the Celtics</a> and their fans.</p><p>On Saturday night, Celtics fans welcomed one of their favorite “relatives” back with a standing ovation. Although it was not Smart’s first official game in Boston as part of another franchise, it did feature his first on-court action against his former team. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year was injured for each of the Grizzlies’ meetings with the C’s last season.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The most cheers you’ll ever hear for an opposing player at TD Garden, as Smart takes the court <a href="https://t.co/bMiRTYcynv">pic.twitter.com/bMiRTYcynv</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1865566168636866865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who spent the first seven years of his NBA career alongside Smart, enjoyed seeing his close friend. However, he had to admit that it was an odd feeling going up against somebody he battled alongside for almost a decade.</p><p>“It was weird,” Jaylen Brown told reporters in his postgame press conference. “But, it was great. Marcus is a family member at this point. So to be able to see him and congratulate him on starting his family and stuff off the court is amazing. All that stuff is good. It is definitely good to see him.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jaylen Brown on finally playing against Marcus Smart:</p><p>“It’s weird. But it was great. Marcus is a family member at this point.” <a href="https://t.co/0fdoN8YSMY">pic.twitter.com/0fdoN8YSMY</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1865609916385276041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Smart’s wife, Maisa, and baby boy, Zayn, were present at TD Garden for the highly-anticipated homecoming. While Smart would have liked to play better, finishing with just three points and two turnovers in 19 minutes, his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-goes-viral-reverse-dunk-on-celtics-kristaps-porzingis">Grizzlies upset the reigning champion Celtics, 127-121</a>.</p><p>And most importantly, Smart <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5977435/2024/12/08/marcus-smart-celtics-grizzlies-son/" rel="noopener">had his son be a part of</a> one of the most special moments of his 11-year career, per Jay King of <i>The Athletic</i>.</p><p>“One day, he can understand,” Smart said. “He can see the impact his dad had on the city and on the team where he started his journey.”</p><h2><b>How Marcus Smart left his mark on Jaylen Brown and the Celtics</b></h2><p>There’s no question Smart is beloved in Boston and has a lingering impact on a place that appreciates hustle and effort as much as stellar shot-making.</p><p>Even though <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-marcus-smart-breaks-silence-boston-winning-title-without-him">Smart never won a title in the championship-obsessed city</a>, his influence was apparent on the backs of Celtics fans, as there were dozens of folks wearing jerseys that donned Smart’s name at TD Garden on Saturday night. It was also evident in Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s pregame presser.</p><p>“There’s a lot of people who have worked in this organization for a long time who haven’t won and I always say the people who have moved the Celtics forward is what makes this job what it is,” he stated. “Even before I got here, [Smart] just put his mark on the city. The way the fans respond to him, the way his teammates care about him. Just how hard he plays every night.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Joe Mazzulla on Marcus Smart and what he’s done for the Celtics:</p><p>“Even before I got here, he left his mark on this city.” <a href="https://t.co/0kZo1Idufj">pic.twitter.com/0kZo1Idufj</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1865536684982514062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>It is a rarity to see Celtics fans support opposing players. But, when Smart drained a 3-pointer against the team he previously went to war for, there were no boos or groans from the crowd. If anything, it was a subtle sign that the Texas native will always have a second home in Boston.</p><p>“You all know how much he means to this city, to this franchise,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum asserted on Friday. “Ultimate Celtic, he’ll always be a Celtic for life.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Celtics’ Jaylen Brown still considers Marcus Smart ‘family’ after Grizzlies loss

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-marcus-smarts-great-trade-admission-will-catch-celtics-fans-attention');   ga('set', 'title', 'Marcus Smart’s ‘great trade’ admission will catch Celtics fans’ attention');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Marcus-Smarts-great-trade-admission-will-catch-Celtics-fans-attention.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Marcus Smart’s ‘great trade’ admission will catch Celtics fans’ attention</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-07T13:09:45-08:00">December 7th, 1:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-07T14:17:36-08:00">December 7th, 2:17pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-marcus-smart-playing-celtics-injury-update">Memphis Grizzlies prepare to face the Boston Celtics</a> on Saturday night at TD Garden, Marcus Smart’s recent reflections on the trade that sent him to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-traded-to-boston-in-new-3-team-stunner-including-marcus-smart-grizzlies">Memphis during the 2023 offseason</a> have drawn significant attention.</p><p>Smart’s comments, made to Bobby Manning of Celtics on CLNS, offer a candid perspective on the transaction that ultimately helped the Celtics secure Kristaps Porziņģis and win the 2023-24 NBA championship.</p><p>“I still look at it the way I’ve looked at it when it happened. It’s a great trade you know business-wise; just wish they would’ve went about it a little differently, just letting me know – that way I wasn’t just blindsided, and I could’ve prepared for it and got my family ready,” <a href="https://x.com/RealBobManning/status/1865455071648977024" rel="noopener">Smart said</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Asked Smart how he looks at the trade now that time has passed. It hasn’t changed, he said: “Great trade, business-wise, just wish they would’ve went about it a little differently, letting me know.” <a href="https://t.co/OXmgU7KJYH">pic.twitter.com/OXmgU7KJYH</a></p><p>— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBobManning/status/1865455071648977024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>“But like I said, business-wise, it’s a great business move. I would’ve made the move, and I think anybody probably would have. So you tip your cap off to those guys. I’m very happy for them. I’m proud that they were able to go and win it.</p><p>“Like I’ve said before, I’ve been on the court with those guys. I put the work in with those guys – so I know what they sacrificed, and I’m proud to see those guys get what they deserve for the hard work they put in.”</p><h2><b>Marcus Smart reflects on trade ahead of Grizzlies-Celtics matchup</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Marcus-Smart-36-reacts-after-a-three-point-basket.jpg"><figcaption>© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Smart’s departure marked the end of a nine-year tenure in Boston, where his defensive tenacity and leadership were cornerstones of the Celtics’ identity. Transitioning to Memphis, Smart was expected to fill a critical role as a veteran leader for the Grizzlies.</p><p>However, his first season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 20 games. Despite career-high averages during that span, the Grizzlies fell short of postseason contention, compounded by injuries to key players like Ja Morant.</p><p>This season has brought renewed promise for both Smart and the Grizzlies. With a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-response-ejected-kings">15-8 record, Memphis currently holds the fourth seed</a> in the Western Conference.</p><p>Smart has adapted well to his role, averaging 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. His recent performances have been particularly noteworthy, as he has averaged 14.0 points, 5.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 steals over the last five games while shooting an efficient 44.7% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range.</p><p>The Grizzlies’ upcoming matchup against the Celtics will mark Smart’s first return to TD Garden, a venue where his contributions were instrumental in shaping Boston’s recent success.</p><p>For Celtics fans, Smart’s acknowledgment of the trade as a “great business move” underscores his appreciation for the team’s achievements while also highlighting the emotional impact of leaving a franchise he gave so much to over nearly a decade.</p><p>Tip-off between the Grizzlies and Celtics is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Marcus Smart’s ‘great trade’ admission will catch Celtics fans’ attention

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-why-jayson-tatum-believes-marcus-smart-celtic-life');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Jayson Tatum believes Marcus Smart is a ‘Celtic for life’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Jayson-Tatum-believes-Marcus-Smart-is-a-%E2%80%98Celtic-for-life.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Jayson Tatum believes Marcus Smart is a ‘Celtic for life’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-07T13:05:10-08:00">December 7th, 1:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-07T13:10:43-08:00">December 7th, 1:10pm</time><address><a>Daniel Donabedian</a>Daniel Donabedian is a beat reporter for ClutchPoints covering the Boston Celtics. He's also covered Villanova men's basketball and Big East basketball, building a strong reputation in the northeast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>BOSTON — Once Boston Celtics fans step into TD Garden, they’re not known for their hospitality. Opposing players and coaches are always booed, but the crowd might have to make an exception on Saturday night <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/marcus-smart-gets-heartwarming-welcome-in-celtics-return-after-grizzlies-trade">when former Celtic Marcus Smart comes to town</a>.</p><p>Smart’s homecoming in Boston is expected to be such a spectacle that Celtics star Jayson Tatum was asked about it on Friday night after leading the C’s to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jrue-holiday-wanted-whoop-bucks">111-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks</a>.</p><p>“Thrilled. Thrilled to see Smart,” Tatum revealed. “As you all know how much he means to this city, to this franchise. Ultimate Celtic, he’ll always be a Celtic for life.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jayson Tatum on Marcus Smart’s potential return tomorrow:</p><p>“Thrilled to see Smart tomorrow … He’ll be a Celtic for life.” <a href="https://t.co/uNAHGBmrVK">pic.twitter.com/uNAHGBmrVK</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1865247533334777991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Veterans like Al Horford and Smart taught a young Tatum what it meant to be a Celtic. The rising superstar appreciated Smart’s advice and befriended him over the course of their six seasons together.</p><p>“I played with him for six years. I didn’t envision a time when I wouldn’t be on his team,” Tatum told reporters.</p><p>During the 2023 offseason, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jaylen-brown-drops-truth-bomb-filling-marcus-smart-void">the Celtics dealt Smart to the Grizzlies</a> in a shocking three-team deal that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-marcus-smart-trade-championship-pursuit">landed them center Kristaps Porzingis</a>. This massive move paid off for the C’s, as they proceeded to go 64-18 during the 2023-24 regular season and win the 2024 NBA Finals in five games.</p><p>The Grizzlies last visited Boston in February, yet Smart was sidelined with a finger injury. The Green Team blew out the undermanned Grizzlies, 131-91, marking their sixth straight win against Memphis. Boston will look to extend that winning streak on Saturday evening, but not before having some fun with Smart.</p><p>“It’ll be a little weird [to play against Smart], but I’ll probably go out there and tackle the sh** of him or something,” Tatum joked. “I’m excited to see him. I know the fans are going to be thrilled to have Smart back in the building. So it’s gonna be a special moment.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Marcus Smart catching up with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum before tonight’s Grizzlies-Celtics game</p><p>(Via <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@celtics</a> IG) <a href="https://t.co/rsU1MUjmdP">pic.twitter.com/rsU1MUjmdP</a></p><p>— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) <a href="https://twitter.com/CTabatabaie/status/1726411704211321237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Why the Grizzlies want to beat the Celtics for Marcus Smart</b></h2><p>Tatum has an even better streak against Memphis. In the 13 games Tatum has played against the Grizzlies, he’s 13-0. Memphis is <a href="https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2024/12/06/marcus-smart-boston-celtics-memphis-grizzlies-jayson-tatum/76664509007/" rel="noopener">hungry to beat the reigning champs</a> and end that dominant stretch to boot, per Damichael Cole.</p><p>“Sh** got to end,” Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said.</p><p>Grizzlies point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. is also motivated to upset the C’s on Smart’s behalf.</p><p>“You want him to get that win and get that feeling of beating the team that traded him or whatever,” Pippen Jr. commented. “At the end of the day, we want to have his back and go up there and get the win.”</p><p>Pippen Jr. might not understand how beloved Smart is in Boston. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year spent nine seasons with the Celtics and quickly became a fan favorite. His hustle and knack for winning plays won the city over, and that bond may never break. For example, Smart received a standing ovation from the TD Garden crowd and “we want Marcus” chants when he couldn’t even take the court in February.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Marcus Smart tribute in Boston… Huge standing ovation and now a loud "we want Marcus" chant <a href="https://t.co/Ay9oC6JGh8">pic.twitter.com/Ay9oC6JGh8</a></p><p>— John Karalis 🇬🇷 (@John_Karalis) <a href="https://twitter.com/John_Karalis/status/1754284307013583008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Now, the 19-4 Celtics are going to get Smart. They still want the victory, especially against a 15-8 Grizzlies squad with plenty of talent. However, don’t be surprised if Tatum and the rest of Smart’s former teammates join in the pregame celebration for the former heart and soul of the Celtics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Jayson Tatum believes Marcus Smart is a ‘Celtic for life’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-marcus-smart-playing-celtics-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart playing vs. Celtics? Latest injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Is-Marcus-Smart-playing-vs.-Celtics-Latest-injury-update.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart playing vs. Celtics? Latest injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-07T09:27:27-08:00">December 7th, 9:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-07T09:27:27-08:00">December 7th, 9:27am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Memphis Grizzles are set to play the Boston Celtics on the road on Saturday night. The game could give Marcus Smart an opportunity to play against his former team, but will the Grizzlies guard be available?</p><p>Smart is dealing with a right ankle sprain. He has been productive when healthy, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-memphis-loses-desmond-bane-marcus-smart-injuries">injuries have played a big role this season for Smart</a>. The 30-year-old is averaging 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per outing across 13 total games played in the 2024-25 season.</p><p>One has to imagine that Smart, who played in Boston from the 2014-15 season through the 2022-23 campaign, is looking forward to going head-to-head with the Celtics. However, is Marcus Smart playing tonight vs. the Celtics?</p><p><b><i>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (</i></b><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored"><b><i>Get Access | Save $30</i></b></a><i>)</i><b><i>*</i></b></p><h2><b>Marcus Smart’s injury status for Grizzlies-Celtics game</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kentavious-Caldwell-Pope-tightly-guards-Marcus-Smart.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Smart is currently <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-07_11AM.pdf">listed as questionable</a> for Saturday night’s game due to the aforementioned ankle injury, per the NBA injury report.</p><p>Upsetting the Celtics in Boston is never an easy task. Boston currently holds a 19-4 record, which is good for second place in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are 15-8, a mark that is tied for the second best record in the Western Conference.</p><p>Memphis’ expectations were not especially high heading into the season. However, they appear to be a legitimate contender. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-comeback-game-personal-highlight-reel">Ja Morant is leading the way</a>, and perhaps this Grizzlies team will be able to make a deep postseason run.</p><p>Saturday’s game should be competitive as the Grizzlies look to defeat the Celtics on the road. Of course, Smart’s status will be important for determining the outcome of the contest. His reliable defensive prowess will be impactful to say the least against a high-powered Celtics offense.</p><p>When it comes to the question of if Marcus Smart is playing tonight vs. the Celtics, the answer is maybe.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
9.2	2.3	3.8	0.3	1.3

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
9.2	2.3	3.8	0.3	1.3

Marcus Smart

Latest Marcus Smart News

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