Recently, league executives have inquired about the services of Memphis Grizzlies utility guard Marcus Smart. Smart has battled some early-season minor injuries/illnesses, limiting him to just seven appearances this season. So far Smart is posting 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists averages in 20 minutes of play. After not being included on Monday’s injury report, Smart is expected to play in tonight’s home matchup versus the Portland Trailblazers. But why are there trade inquiries for Marcus Smart this early into the season?
What Looming Trade Inquiries For Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart Implies
Smart’s rotation flexibility and versatile skill set are both attributes the Grizzlies value on both sides of the floor. The consistent stand-out play of the younger role players does merit further evaluation for Taylor Jenkins and company. The Grizzlies as a unit are getting healthier by the day. The buzz surrounding the combo guard does make you wonder what may have given opposing executives the notion to inquire bout Smart in the first place. I weigh potential trade pros and cons if the Grizzlies indeed decide to dangle the 11-year vet on the market.
Even though Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart has had a fairly underwhelming start in his first full season in Memphis, he’s not an asset that comes ever so often. Skill aside, Smart’s intangibles and vast playoff experience are qualities the Grizzlies can benefit from. A substantially small sample size due to Smart’s games played but the Grizzlies only post a 110.7 defensive rating when he’s on the floor. That is a metric I’d pay attention to as the Grizzlies welcome back their star regulars because it may not tell the entire story. Despite this year’s struggles and unavailability, Smart has passed the eye test defensively his entire career. He should still hold a fair share of matchup responsibility from game to game.
Smart Pros? Cons?
Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, and De’Aaron Fox, are some of the deadliest shot creators in the Western Conference. Those are some of the names that Smart may primarily be assigned if their respective teams were to meet in the postseason. That’s what makes the emerging Smart trade inquiries sort of peculiar. Marcus Smart is going to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2025-26. He currently has approximately $42 million left on the four-year/$76 million deal he inked as a member of the Boston Celtics back in 2022. Has the elevated emergence of teammates Jaylen Wells and Jake LaRavia on the wing made Smart more expendable? Are those young Grizzlies ready to be impactful point-of-attack defenders matched up against any of the star guards above? Better yet, in a seven-game series?
At times it’s evident the Grizzlies possess too many cooks in the kitchen. Even with the recent ankle sprain of wing/guard Vince Williams Jr, the Grizzlies are loaded with capable ball handlers. Would Memphis’ offense slip exponentially with the void of Smart in the half-court? The rise of Scotty Pippen Jr manning second units may make it slightly complicated for Smart to maintain a formidable role in the Grizzlies’ offense.
Marcus Smart hasn’t shot north of 34% from the deep since 2019-20. Perhaps potential half-court limitations may be an additional factor that may explain Memphis possibly taking calls on Smart in the near future. Smart doesn’t aid an already bottom-half 3-point shooting team. What has made the former Defensive Player of the Year a special player in this league are all the things that don’t come up in the box score. It’s up to Zach Kleiman and the Grizzlies front office to decide how much they prioritize that.
