Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

While the Celtics have been championship contenders in the Eastern Conference over the last several years now, they have not been able to get over the hump of the Eastern Conference Finals, losing three of the last four seasons. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are two unbelievable talents for the Celtics on the wing and with Kemba Walker out to begin the season, bot guys will have to step up into even bigger roles. 

Marcus Smart has also been improving year-by-year and has solidified himself as one of the better perimeter defenders in the league, making the NBA All-Defensive team in back-to-back years. While Smart is a key to their success, he may end up being the odd-man-out for Boston if they look to acquire another All-Star level talent. 

He is owed just over $26M for the next two seasons, which makes his contract the favorable one to be traded from the Boston Celtics roster. There is no way they are willing to trade Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum, which again, means Smart would be the guy to go. 

Last season was Marcus Smart’s best offensive season of his career, as he averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 assists and shot 34.7% from three-point range. Given his “3-and-D” playstyle he has grown into, many teams inquired about Smart this offseason, but the Celtics were unwilling to trade him. 

If the Celtics decide to go after a player like Blake Griffin, Victor Oladipo or Myles Turner though, Marcus Smart will definitely be on the move. His value is as high as it is probably going to get over his career and if the Celtics want to move him, there are plenty of trade suitors waiting for him to become available.