BOSTON — Marcus Smart watched from the bench on Sunday night as his current team, the depleted Washington Wizards, were overpowered by the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The lopsided 124-90 defeat wasn’t unexpected for a Wizards squad that held out eight regulars in what’s clearly a rebuilding season. Still, it underscored how dramatically things have shifted for the former Celtics guard in just two years.
After being traded by Boston in June 2023 as part of a three-team deal that landed Kristaps Porzingis, Smart was expected to continue playing competitive basketball in Memphis. The Grizzlies were viewed as a promising team on the rise in the Western Conference. But a wave of injuries derailed their plans, sending Memphis spiraling to the lottery. Smart and other core players missed significant time. Injuries carried over into this season too, and with younger, cheaper guards stepping up, Memphis opted to move on sending Smart to Washington in a salary-clearing move.
Smart is doing his best to stay positive amid a difficult stretch, but Sunday’s game was a clear reminder of how rough the past couple of years have been since his departure from Boston.
“Control what I can control,” Smart said. “That’s been my approach, and it hasn’t changed. These last couple of years have brought a lot of unexpected moments, a lot of challenges, and they’ve really put things into perspective. You just focus on what you can control.”
Now healthy, Smart has been productive for the Wizards when on the floor. Although the team is prioritizing youth and development, he’s shot 39 percent from deep over his 15 games. Off the court, he’s embracing a leadership role for the younger players.
“They’re calling me ‘unc,’ which I’m not sure I’m ready for,” Smart joked. “But it’s a great group of young guys, and they’re eager to learn. They ask a lot of questions, they want me to demonstrate things it’s rewarding. It shows that what I’ve done in my career matters and is being noticed.”
Even though Smart is playing the role of the veteran mentor now, it’s clear he envisions more for himself, especially with one year left on his contract after this season.
“I’m one of the league’s biggest competitors,” he said. “If I’m healthy, I want to be out there competing. I can’t control the situation I’m in, but I can control how I prepare and how I respond. Of course, I’d love to be back in a position where I’m logging real minutes and helping a team win. But again control what I can control.”
The Wizards will face an interesting decision this offseason. With both Smart and Khris Middleton serving as veterans on a young roster, either could be moved to a playoff-bound team looking for experience and depth. While Smart’s $21.5 million salary might seem steep, he could still provide value in a secondary role on a contender. It’s clear he’s hoping a team sees that. Whether he gets that shot will be something to watch closely this summer.
Be the first to comment