NBA rumors: Celtics not trading guard despite interest From Rivals.

admin | February 2, 2024 | Boston celtics | No Comments

Earlier today, reports and rumors indicated the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks were interested in Memphis Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. However, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, the Grizzlies are not interested in trading away the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year:

While several clubs — including the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, sources said — have phoned Memphis about obtaining defensive stalwart Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies have shut down any overtures for the veteran guard, sources said.

This news comes less than 24 hours after the Grizzlies traded center Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets.

In 20 games played this season, Smart is averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. However, the 30-year-old has not appeared in a game since January 9 due to a right finger injury. At the time, the expectations were that Smart would miss approximately six weeks. This makes it likely he will not return until after All-Star Weekend.

The Grizzlies acquired Smart from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade this past offseason. Smart had previously been with the Celtics since the team drafted him in 2014.

What’s Next for the Lakers?

The 25-25 Lakers have made their name noticed in the rumor mill recently. In addition to Smart, there are reports that the Lakers have shown interest in Dejounte Murray and Dorian Finney-Smith. On the flip side, the Lakers have reportedly made Gabe Vincent available:

Let it be known that Los Angeles has also been including injured point guard Gabe Vincent, who’s played just five games due to a knee injury, in various trade talks, sources said.

Furthermore, per ESPN, there are reports that the Lakers are actively looking to boost their team for the second half of the season:

The Lakers have been active in trade talks over the past month as they look to boost a team that is 25-25 and in ninth place in the Western Conference

It is unclear who exactly the Lakers will acquire at this year’s NBA Trade Deadline, but it is clear they are a team to keep an eye on.

What’s Next for the Bucks?

Exchanging for Savvy would have been an self-evident (and unexpected) move for the Bucks. After losing Jrue Occasion to the Celtics, though in a roundabout way, the Bucks have been disillusioning on the protective side of the ball. Shrewd, known for his defense and forcefulness, would fit in pleasantly another to Damian Lillard within the backcourt. And just like the Lakers, the Bucks have appeared intrigued in Finney-Smith, in conjunction with his Brooklyn Nets partner, Royce O’Neale:

A source told The Post the Nets rejected an offer of two first-rounders for Finney-Smith, supposedly pined for by not fair the Lakers but too by the Free thinkers, Bucks, Thunder, Suns and Lords. O’Neale seem get a first-round choose, and has moreover been connected to the Free thinkers, Nuggets, Pacers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Suns and Rulers.

As they approach the moment half, the 32-16 Bucks are searching for ways to move forward their defense. And as of now, it does not see like Keen is attending to be accessible for them or any other group.