Old Marcus Smart Comments Resurface After Reportedly Signing With Lakers

The Boston Celtics missed out on an opportunity to reunite with their old friend Marcus Smart, as he reportedly is set to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after being bought out by the Washington Wizards. And if some old comments of his are to be believed, he could be looking for some revenge against the C’s.

After the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, the Celtics traded Smart in a three-team deal with the Wizards and the Memphis Grizzlies. Smart landed with the Grizzlies, while Boston got Kristaps Porzingis from Washington, who helped the team win the 2024 NBA Finals.

Smart ended up getting traded to the Wizards this past season, and with the team looking to rebuild, it was clear there was no reason for them to hold onto the veteran guard. As a result, he became a buyout candidate that teams across the league kept tabs on.

While the C’s were linked to Smart, the Lakers ended up landing his signature. And in the wake of his decision to sign with his former team’s longtime rival, some old comments he made after getting traded to Memphis led fans to believe that he may be looking to get back at Boston for trading him.

“You always want to be where you’re wanted, and (one) team’s trash is another team’s gold. So I’m glad to be here,” Smart said to Jared Weiss of The Athletic after landing with the Grizzlies back in 2023. “I’m glad to be on an organization that wants me and sees me (have) great value. So I’m ecstatic and I’m ready to get going.”

It’s unclear if the Celtics seriously pursued Smart, as they were not listed among the teams that were finalists to sign him. Now, he could play a big role on the other side of their longstanding rivalry with the Lakers.

For the time being, all is quiet in Boston, as the team is reportedly looking to shed more salary to get back under the second apron of the league’s new salary cap. With the trade market drying up, though, the front office doesn’t appear to be in a rush to make a move just for the sake of making one.

If the Celtics were in on Smart, missing out on him hurts. And he could be looking to pour salt in the C’s gaping wounds by helping the Lakers take down their hated rival when he suits up for them next season.