Jackie Mac on Marcus Smart's RFA--"He's going for the money"

[Saint Lazarus]

Have fun playing in Charlotte for 15m while winning jack ****.

Charlotte has enough bad money, they won't risk it

That's true, i was just thinking of a mediocre team that thinks Smart will be their difference maker. Maybe Brooklyn or Kings then.

[Scoonie]

Charlotte is well over the salary cap and can only offer the Mid-Level Exception, which is the same situation most NBA teams face this offseason.

[sully00]

I think what you will see Boston do is somewhat contrary to what other teams do in this situation. I think they will talk with Smart and his people get an idea of what he is looking for and assuming that is way more than they are comfortable with instead of stoning him they will engage teams in S&Ts and encourage his people to go out and look for S&T deals so the limits of Boston matching the offer sheet or the lack of available cap space are less of an issue. That way the team and the player will have a pretty good market analysis.

I think Danny and Brad love the kid but he is who he is. If he takes the QO it puts him and the team in a bad spot. At that point whether they want to or not they are going lean towards TRo there is also lots of options at SG at #27. If Donte DiVincenzo, who is like Danny and Brads love child, is a Celtic after the draft then Marcus better hit Zillow.

[The Corey's]

I think what you will see Boston do is somewhat contrary to what other teams do in this situation. I think they will talk with Smart and his people get an idea of what he is looking for and assuming that is way more than they are comfortable with instead of stoning him they will engage teams in S&Ts and encourage his people to go out and look for S&T deals so the limits of Boston matching the offer sheet or the lack of available cap space are less of an issue. That way the team and the player will have a pretty good market analysis.

I think Danny and Brad love the kid but he is who he is. If he takes the QO it puts him and the team in a bad spot. At that point whether they want to or not they are going lean towards TRo there is also lots of options at SG at #27. If Donte DiVincenzo, who is like Danny and Brads love child, is a Celtic after the draft then Marcus better hit Zillow.

I cant tell you if smart is gone of not but no doubt if he leaves its through sign and trade.

Celtics get something and Marcus gets something.

[ScottieJ]

he’s going for the money.’ I’ve never asked him this question. But that’s the impression I get. You can’t blame young guys who want to go out to the highest bidder and thinks he should be a starter and he’s not going to be one in Boston for many years to come.

He will fade away, and choose obscurity like Tony Allen.

Tony faded his way into six of the next seven all defense teams after he left Boston. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth after he left, much of it by the same people who either wanted him gone or were indifferent about it because we ended up needing a player EXACTLY LIKE HIM.

So shall it be with Marcus if he leaves.

[Ascrilas]

Smart is an odd case, but him on a non-contender would be disaster. I love him with all his flaws so I just hope doesn't end up in such a situation. I'd let him go if somebody breaks the 12-14 mil thresold, but maybe teams have actually gotten smarter?

Problem with Smart is, play him in a bench role, and you'll get starter impact. Play him in a starter role, and you'll get bench impact.
This formula is acceptable if you already have a great core, but him on a team like the Kings would be a lose-lose-lose.

[Captain_Caveman]

Cap is flat next season, but projected to rise $18m or so over the two following seasons.

Which means you overpay the dude by like $1-2m or so in the first year of his contract, then it is normalized in the second year, then you get 2-3 years below market.

We do this all the time. Remember when Avery's contract was horrible? And Jeff Green's? And Rondo's?

[dynasty2018]

I'd be pretty surprised to see him leave to go to a **** team over 2m/year. If we're talking closer to 5m then it starts to makes sense. Doesn't seem like the type to me that cares about starting.

This.

Look Jackie does great reporting & has great stories. But she's washed up.

Any legit reporting I usually don't agree with. I have no facts or basis to back up me personally not believing me.

Do i think Smart goes to Sac for $2mil more a year? Hell no. FOH w/ the nonsense.

by chrisab123 » Yesterday 2:47 pm

Smart might get paid he might not but I still see him taking the QO and going for UFA next year. He's had way too much of an up and down year to get 15 + million

That would be a great outcome for everyone. Smart is an intriguing enigma who may or may not become greatness. I am less worried about his shooting than the turnovers. MacMullin was right on Rondo before anyone but this sounds more like a miss. I could see Smart walking if the C's want to avoid the luxury tax. Thanks. I hadn't thought of the option of a one year contract.

All three of the guards have question marks. I think this is it for Smart in a way; that if he fizzles out in this series, then it becomes more likely MacMullin looks prescient. I truly believe that Irving, Rozier, Smart, Larkin and Jaylen at SG is championship level for guards. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My opinion will be shaped by what Marcus does the next couple games. I don't want that guy from the last game. But he's been great in others, so it is a tough call to give a definitive opinion.

I don't blame Rozier for bad defense last game. They have to figure that out as a team. No losses are good, but that was a lot better. If home cooking takes over tonight, order in the universe is restored and bring everyone back. If it gets ugly and LeBron is our daddy, just root for his demise in the Finals and enjoy the Summer. This is frosting on the cake, although I'd love #18 right now.

I think Rozier is the truth. I wish Marcus Smart would get his act together in regards to protecting the basketball. And he does look like Antoine missing all those threes. Hit 76 out of 100 in practice like Jaylen did or pass it more and no more silly turnovers, please. If Smart can make a leap right now, #18 is in sight. But not if it's last game's Smart.

I don't know what game people were watching if they thought Rozier was bad. That trouble on defense cannot be blamed on him. They have to figure out the foolish overuse of switching. Hopefully home cooking cures all.

[reload141]

Cap is flat next season, but projected to rise $18m or so over the two following seasons.

Which means you overpay the dude by like $1-2m or so in the first year of his contract, then it is normalized in the second year, then you get 2-3 years below market.

We do this all the time. Remember when Avery's contract was horrible? And Jeff Green's? And Rondo's?

I still remember Rondo's contract and people slamming me right away saying how much of an overpay it was.... god they were good times.

[Turgon]

Cap is flat next season, but projected to rise $18m or so over the two following seasons.

Which means you overpay the dude by like $1-2m or so in the first year of his contract, then it is normalized in the second year, then you get 2-3 years below market.

We do this all the time. Remember when Avery's contract was horrible? And Jeff Green's? And Rondo's?

I still remember Rondo's contract and people slamming me right away saying how much of an overpay it was.... god they were good times.

Most people's math skills aren't exactly great (in the sense of being intuitively used) so they view contracts by comparing them to previous ones and not relative to the present or projected caps.

Thus, whenever the cap rises people's perception of salaries gets distorted.

[dynasty2018]

I don't think the Celtics should worry about going over the luxury cap starting right now. This run has proven the future is now. They are one trade away from becoming dominance on paper. Say Rozier is the real deal. Kyrie is moved for Towns. Sorry, just mindless speculation. If I was Danny, no way would I allow Smart to walk away for nothing. He's no Sully. He's easily more valuable than an Evan Turner. Philly is mediocre because they messed up so many big decisions. Let Smart go for nothing and there's one asset down the drain.

[Andrew McCeltic]

I don't think the Celtics should worry about going over the luxury cap starting right now. This run has proven the future is now. They are one trade away from becoming dominance on paper. Say Rozier is the real deal. Kyrie is moved for Towns. Sorry, just mindless speculation. If I was Danny, no way would I allow Smart to walk away for nothing. He's no Sully. He's easily more valuable than an Evan Turner. Philly is mediocre because they messed up so many big decisions. Let Smart go for nothing and there's one asset down the drain.

Disrespecting Kyrie a ton.. Rozier’s just now starting to show some of the moves he probably got taught by Kyrie in practice. I get it’s not a hugely loyal league, but Kyrie just had a legit MVP season, he’s an offensive savant.

[sam_I_am]

he’s going for the money.’ I’ve never asked him this question. But that’s the impression I get. You can’t blame young guys who want to go out to the highest bidder and thinks he should be a starter and he’s not going to be one in Boston for many years to come.

He will fade away, and choose obscurity like Tony Allen.

Tony faded his way into six of the next seven all defense teams after he left Boston. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth after he left, much of it by the same people who either wanted him gone or were indifferent about it because we ended up needing a player EXACTLY LIKE HIM.

So shall it be with Marcus if he leaves.

That Celtics team had a starting 5 and Allen was the only wing off bench. When Allen left we had no depth at wing. Tony also got a 3 million a year deal.

Next year we will have 7 guys who will play before Smart. If he will take a deal like Tony got - great. If he wants 12-14 million there is no way we should pay him. We all love the intensity and the great plays he makes every 4th or 5 th game. He will be missed but he just isn’t good enough to pay given the talent and pecking order on the roster.

[celtics543]

We can just wait and see what he gets offered. Personally, I hope he's Sacramento's big free agent signing because I don't think he's going to help a lottery team all that much and we have their pick next year.

I would like to keep Marcus but if he prices himself out of our range then so be it and hopefully we can work out a sign and trade where we pick up something for him. He's a bulldog and he brings the fight every night but we have a lot of guys in front of him on the depth chart coming back.

[Saint Lazarus]

Cap is flat next season, but projected to rise $18m or so over the two following seasons.

Which means you overpay the dude by like $1-2m or so in the first year of his contract, then it is normalized in the second year, then you get 2-3 years below market.

We do this all the time. Remember when Avery's contract was horrible? And Jeff Green's? And Rondo's?

I still remember Rondo's contract and people slamming me right away saying how much of an overpay it was.... god they were good times.

Most people's math skills aren't exactly great (in the sense of being intuitively used) so they view contracts by comparing them to previous ones and not relative to the present or projected caps.

Thus, whenever the cap rises people's perception of salaries gets distorted.

Didn't people use this exact same reasoning to justify albatross contracts like Allen Crabbe or Evan Turner?

[Dogen]

I love having Marcus in Celtic green at the right price, but when I’m shouting “don’t shoot!” at the TV during a basketball game as opposed to a murder drama, something is clearly wrong.

Really thought he would improve his J this season, even if only slightly. But he’s just not worth the big contract being such an offensive liability.

[London2Boston]

His shot is essentially a turnover and he’s shown no real progress in driving to the rim either. Decent passer and playmaker outside of the brain fart moments and a great defender, but he won’t and shouldn’t be getting anything more than 12 a Year from a team. If a team does offer him more then all the best to him tbh.

[brackdan70]

I'd be pretty surprised to see him leave to go to a **** team over 2m/year. If we're talking closer to 5m then it starts to makes sense. Doesn't seem like the type to me that cares about starting.

That’s a lot of money. I would not be surprised at all. I would be surprised if he took less to stay

And being an RFA Cs have to opportunity to match any offer

[ThirtyFour]

We can just wait and see what he gets offered. Personally, I hope he's Sacramento's big free agent signing because I don't think he's going to help a lottery team all that much and we have their pick next year.

I would like to keep Marcus but if he prices himself out of our range then so be it and hopefully we can work out a sign and trade where we pick up something for him. He's a bulldog and he brings the fight every night but we have a lot of guys in front of him on the depth chart coming back.

I actually think Smart has a decent impact on a lottery team like the Kings. He gives you all the hustle plays and toughness and you hear time and time again from our players how infectious it is. And he's vocal on the court, he understands defense. If he can get players that aren't fully bought in to play a little harder and be more committed to team play I think that can easily convert at least 5-10 games from losses to wins in the regular season which would be bad for our #2 pick next year.

[claycarver]

I'd be pretty surprised to see him leave to go to a **** team over 2m/year. If we're talking closer to 5m then it starts to makes sense. Doesn't seem like the type to me that cares about starting.

That’s a lot of money. I would not be surprised at all. I would be surprised if he took less to stay

And being an RFA Cs have to opportunity to match any offer

2 million a year is a LOT of money in real terms and as a percentage, no doubt. Even on a much smaller scale, not many people here casually walk away from a 20% pay increase. And assume you only have 10 years, max left in your career to set yourself up. That 20% is massive.

My guess is, Smart's mom's health and those bills be the driving factor in his next decision. If he takes less to stay with the Celtics, it will be because he's got some other way to make up that money with endorsements. But I totally agree with brackdan, I'd be shocked if he didn't go for the money.