The Boston Celtics worked hard to win the 2024 championship. Unlike their 2008 title, when they created a super team, the 2024 title took years to achieve.

Unfortunately, not everyone who was there during the long process remained when they clinched the championship.

Many Celtics fans felt sad Marcus Smart, who was a Celtics for nine years before getting traded to the Grizzlies, was not there to celebrate with longtime teammates Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford.

Smart feels the opposite. He is happy for his former team and former teammates.

However, if there is one part of the championship run that he does not feel great about, it is that he was unable to finish what he started with the Celtics.

Seeing his buddies finally win the title they worked hard for is a bittersweet feeling.

"I know everybody's expecting me to be salty and s---, but there's no hard feelings for them. Don't get it twisted," Smart said during an appearance at the Tidal League's Run Your Race podcast.

"It's definitely tough because I was in the trenches with them, so to not be able to finish what you started with those guys is definitely tough."

Marcus Smart reunion with former Celtics coach

The former Defensive Player of the Year is now more focused on returning to the game after missing most of the 2023-2024 season in his first year with the Memphis Grizzlies due to recurring injuries.

There is a chance he might see himself in another team as the offseason rolls.

Rumors have it that the Houston Rockets are eyeing him, opening the chance for him to reunite with his former Celtics coach, Imeh Udoka.

According to reports, the Rockets will give up their No. 3 overall pick to land Smart.

If this goes through, Smart will see himself in the same role he had with the Celtics years back-mentoring two young scorers, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith.