Celtics reportedly re-sign Smart to four-year, $52-million deal
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics re-signed guard Marcus Smart on Thursday, bringing him back for four more years after he found the market for a restricted free agent defensive specialist wasn’t as lucrative as he’d hoped.
A person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press that Smart will be paid $52 million over the next four years.
The Celtics scheduled an availability with Smart after announcing the deal, then cancelled it an hour later, saying he had flu-like symptoms and was being treated at a hospital with IV fluids.
Smart averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game this past National Basketball Association season. He returned from thumb surgery late in the first round of the playoffs and provided the defensive presence that was instrumental in the Celtics taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the Eastern Conference finals.
LeBron James called Smart’s creativity on the court “uncanny” during their matchup and coach Brad Stevens said Smart was “as tough as tough as they come,” making hustle plays on offence being disruptive on defence. He also has been a lockerroom favourite among his teammates for the past four seasons, bringing an in-your-face style on the court.
Those intangibles aside, Smart entered the summer in limbo with Boston remaining mostly quiet as free agency began. The Celtics quickly agreed to a twoyear, $11 million deal with veteran big man Aron Baynes. The slow movement on Smart left open the possibility they might let him test the market and then decide whether to match any offers.
General manager Danny Ainge said immediately after the season that fears of a luxury tax bill wouldn’t factor into the team’s decision of whether to bring back players. But as the roster currently stands, Boston will be on the hook to be taxed next season.