Like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors completed a blockbuster deal for a solidified superstar before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Acquiring Jimmy Butler will help the Warriors survive the Western Conference gauntlet and play meaningful basketball in April.
Still, regarding buyout options for the Dubs, an ex-Boston Celtics fan favorite and Defensive Player of the Year could strengthen Golden State’s roster even further.
“Marcus Smart was shipped to the Washington Wizards from the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday,” Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey wrote Thursday.
“Smart only played in 19 games for the Grizzlies this season and is now on a Washington roster where there isn’t much opportunity there for him.”
“Washington is committed to building through its young core, and it would be foolish of the Wizards to give Smart playing time ahead of Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly, or Carlton Carrington.”
“Smart would provide value as a backup ball-handler for a few contenders. Golden State comes to mind as a fit since it just shipped away Dennis Schröder.”
As a Celtic, Smart enjoyed an impactful nine-year stint with the franchise.
As a terrorizing on-ball defender who proved he could make positive offensive plays on and off the ball, Smart forced teams to account for him on both ends with the Celtics.
Smart won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022 and appeared in 108 postseason contests with Boston.
Unfortunately, the Celtics moved on from Smart after the 2022-23 season, trading him to the Grizzlies during the offseason.
Smart never quite found his footing with Memphis.
He was in and out of the lineup due to injuries and accepted a decreased role with the organization this season.
Still, if the Warriors want to add another competent ball-handler and disruptive defender, they should consider Smart.
An elite defensive trio of Smart, Butler, and Draymond Green, combined with a unique long-range scoring threat in Stephen Curry, would give opponents fits nightly.
Another beneficial move could come to fruition for Golden State if the Wizards buy Smart out.
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