The Memphis Grizzlies got poor marks for their trade for veteran point guard Marcus Smart in a recent analysis. This despite how well things worked out for the Boston Celtics on their side of the deal that would ultimately move star Boston big man Kristaps porzingis to the Celtics from the Washington Wizards last offseason.
In a recent analysis put together by Bleacher Report NBA analyst Zach Buckley, the Griz got some very mediocre grades for the Smart swap. “Considering the Grizzlies’ greatest need for years had been a lanky, two-way wing, it seemed strange from the start to splurge on Smart, a 6-foot-3 combo guard who struggles to convert perimeter shots at a league-average rate,” writes Buckley.
“If everything broke just right, though, Smart could have helped the Grizzlies survive Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension, withstand the subtraction of wing stopper Dillon Brooks and check some boxes for secondary playmaking, postseason experience and defensive versatility.”
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“Exactly none of that came to fruition,” however, writes the B/R analyst. “Injuries, which have quietly played a fairly significant role in Smart’s career, limited him to just 20 appearances, and even the games he played were choppy as heck.”
“The 30-year-old has time to bounce back, of course, but it wouldn’t be shocking if last season marked the start of his decline.” Final grade? For Memphis, an embarrassing C-.
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