Dacost wrote:KingFox wrote:What is Memphis doing? Did they really trade two picks
Alot of people are confused.
Both Tyus Jones and KP will be free agents next summer while Smart has a 3 year contract.
Grizz also traded two late first round picks 25 this year and the Warriors pick next year.
People get crazy when they hear multiple first round picks but late 20 something picks are no that valuable especially with the team full of young players like Memphis who starving for veteran lederadership.
Exactly. And for Memphis, it isn't just about Marcus Smart, the basketball player. It is also about Marcus Smart, the veteran locker room leader.
Ja Morant completely unraveled this season mentally. I have never seen something similar in the 10 years I've followed the league. Memphis will go as far as Ja goes. If Ja keeps unraveling, they're never going anywhere. Memphis absolutely needed someone to help them bring about a culture change in this locker room. They needed someone to help them get Ja's head back in the game. Pulling Ja out of this self-destructive spiral he was on this year is worth a lot more than those draft picks.
Is Smart the kind of guy that can change the culture and get Ja's head back in the game? I don't know for sure. But he does have a very good chance of being exactly that and Memphis really, desperately needs that.