Since Kyrie Irving left for Brooklyn in the summer of 2019, the Celtics have been shuffling point guards — not realizing the answer was right in front of them.
“I think everybody in the organization and the world has seen what I can do at the point guard position,” Marcus Smart said after a 25-point Game 2 victory against Miami.
After missing Game 1 (foot), Smart finished with 24 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds (+32), further proving why he’s Boston’s best option at point — and how GM Brad Stevens and coach Ime Udoka’s trust in the 6’3” guard has paid off.
- Irving was the PG from 2017-19 and made roughly $39 million.
- When he left, they signed declining star Kemba Walker to a four-year, $141 million max contract — he only lasted two seasons there.
- Early this year, Dennis Schroder ($5.7M) was the team’s starting PG; he was traded to the Rockets in February.
- Smart’s 6.7 APG in the postseason ranks third among PGs and fifth overall, and the Celtics are 4-0 when he scores 20+ points.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is locked in for another four years and $77 million. He accepted Boston’s offer after considering holding out for something in the $90 million range.
Former GM Danny Ainge and Stevens never moved him despite several reports coming out over the years about a potential trade.
And thanks to Smart, the Celtics head back to Boston with home-court advantage, and they still haven’t lost consecutive games since late March.
