- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,190,142
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Marcus Smart could end up reuniting with former Celtics coach Ime Udoka in Houston, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Smart has a player option with the Lakers, but Woike reports that Smart will most likely land with the Rockets and sign a multi-year deal with Houston.
Smart, 32, has a decision to make on his player option Monday, then NBA free agency opens Tuesday. The ex-Celtics guard bet on himself by signing with Los Angeles then rebuilt his stock after strong play during the regular season and playoffs. Notably, he played his best basketball in the first round against Houston in the first round.
The Celtics traded Smart to the Grizzlies during the 2023 offseason in a three-team deal that led to Kristaps Porzingis landing in Boston. Memphis hoped Smart would be the gritty veteran piece that could push them into title contention. Instead, Smart endured a couple lost seasons to injury before being traded to the Wizards in February 2025.
Smart chose to bet on himself after getting bought out by Washington last summer, signing with the Lakers. He was a crucial piece for Los Angeles, especially when it came to perimeter defense. Smart started 54 of 62 games for the Lakers as he rebuilt his stock this past season, showing he can still be a high-level contributor.
Now, it sounds like Smart could end up in Houston. Udoka coached Smart during the 2021-22 season, which led to the Celtics making the 2022 NBA Finals. Smart also won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first guard to do so since Gary Payton for the 1995-96 season.
More Celtics content
- Jaylen Brown trade rumors: West team ‘front-runner’ for Celtics star
- Celtics trade rumors: Boston showing interest in Nuggets forward
- Celtics free agency rumors: Boston interested in Mavericks guard
- New suitors emerge as Celtics continue Jaylen Brown trade talks
Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Continue reading...
