Marcus Smart has already paid tribute to his former team Boston Celtics, which traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies last month.
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year was a contingency Celtics had after the move to trade Malcolm Brogdon to get Kristaps Porzingis (eventually signed, still) broke down.
Smart feels grateful. However, he did not like the part when the team made a U-turn after informing him that he would remain a Celt.
"I went to the gym the next day to get my stuff and talked to Brad (Stevens) and Joe (Mazzulla)," Smart said in an interview with CLNS Media.
"It was definitely shocking to find out that way, especially because the week before, I was already told we were good, there were no trade talks with me and we were good."
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He can't help but rue that he was kept in the dark after getting assurance from people he trusted. On top of it, he learned about the trade while his house was flooded.
All love for Boston
Smart still insisted that he knows NBA is a business and that trade is part of the life of an NBA professional.
He also expressed his appreciation for the Celtics organization and its fans.
As for the Grizzlies, he said, "I'm excited and energetic to start my new life with the Grizzlies."
Smart played 10 seasons for the Celtics and averaged 10.6 points per game. He will bring veteran leadership and defensive toughness to a young Grizzlies team led by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
Related article: Celtics President Brad Stevens Turns Emotional in Explaining Marcus Smart Trade
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