3 ways the Marcus Smart trade helps the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies finally made the “all-in” move fans have clamored for the past two seasons. And they still got to keep some of their chips. The Boston Celtics are trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for two first-round picks – the Grizzlies’ 2023 selection (No. 25) and the Golden State Warriors 2024 first-round pick. The Grizzlies also dealt Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards in the three-team trade. The Celtics nabbed Kristaps Porzingis from the Wizards. You can see the full trade details below:

It hurts to lose Tyus Jones. The veteran point guard was such a steady presence for the Grizzlies, particularly in the past two seasons as Ja Morant missed 46 combined games. Jones compiled a 20-6 record as a starter in 2021-22 (including playoffs). He hit the dagger in Game 6 vs. the Timberwolves. He averaged 16.4 points and 8.1 assists as a starter in 2022-23. He finally earns his well-deserved shot to start full-time in Washington.

But the Grizzlies somehow found the one player who can replace both Tyus Jones and Dillon Brooks. Marcus Smart is an elite wing defender and playmaker. While Ja Morant is out with his 25-game suspension, Smart can capably fill in as starting point guard. Once Morant returns, Smart can just as capably slide to the wing.  He brings the toughness and veteran presence Memphis has sorely lacked in the Ja Morant era. The nine-year NBA veteran has reached the conference finals five times – four more than the Grizzlies’ have achieved in franchise history.

Yet the Grizzlies did not have to mortgage the future to get Smart (not the movie). They still own all their own first-round picks from 2024 onward. They did not give away any young players that rebuilding teams might covet. They maintained an open roster spot, which they can hopefully fill with another veteran wing or big using the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) of about $12 million.

This trade is a win for the Memphis Grizzlies. They did not give up much to get a player who fills so many needs. Read on to see how Marcus Smart will help the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marcus Smart replaces Dillon Brooks’ elite perimeter defense

Marcus Smart can deliver the elite perimeter defense of Dillon Brooks without the distracting antics and horrific shooting that plagued him, particularly in the playoffs.

Like Bruce Wayne, Dillon Brooks stayed long enough in Memphis to see himself become the villain. But his incredible defensive versatility should not go unappreciated by Grizzlies fans. Brooks took on the toughest defensive assignments almost every game. By some measures, he faced the most difficult defensive assignments in the entire NBA.

Brooks could effectively guard 1-5. While he usually handled the opponents’ best perimeter scorer, he could switch on to bigs when necessary. He famously shut down Karl Anthony-Towns in the fourth quarter of a pivotal Game 5 win vs. the Timberwolves. No matter who he was guarding, his defensive effort never relented. It’s not easy to find an all-around defender like Dillon Brooks.

While his horrific series vs. the Los Angeles Lakers proved it was time to go, the Grizzlies had no adequate replacement for Brooks on the roster. Desmond Bane is growing into a solid defender, but his negative wingspan prevents him from shutting down big wing scorers. David Roddy and Ziaire Williams are quite simply not ready for an NBA starting role. Given that Brooks could walk for nothing this summer via unrestricted free agency, it appeared the Grizzlies might have a gaping hole in the middle of their starting lineup.

Enter Marcus Smart. The 2021-2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year has also earned First Team All-Defense status three times in his career. Like Brooks, Smart can guard all five positions. Though he stands at just 6’4”, he possesses a 6’9” wingspan and tremendous strength. His defense dropped off a bit in 2022-23 – his defensive rating was four points worse than his DPOY season – but that may have been a reflection of the Celtics’ overall struggles on that end.

Smart can guard the other team’s best perimeter player and size up to posts when the situation calls. One thing he does even better than Brooks is creating turnovers. Smart has been one of the league’s best at generating steals throughout his career.

Smart also brings the fire the Grizzlies might otherwise miss without Dillon Brooks, without the type of self-inflicted wounds Brooks inflicted with his reckless trash talk and dirty plays. He’s a far better offensive player than Brooks, too, particularly for the Grizzlies needs. While Smart is not an elite shooter, he brings another dynamic to the Memphis offense.

Boosting the Grizzlies halfcourt offense with passing and playmaking

Marcus Smart’s greatest strength is his defense. His passing is a close second.

The Memphis Grizzlies desperately need that playmaking boost. Despite a stated intention by GM Zach Kleiman to improve the halfcourt offense, it once again lagged at 22nd in the NBA last season. The Grizzlies had few reliable options when the game slowed down in the fourth quarter. Unless Ja Morant singlehandedly steamrolled his way to a bucket in the paint, the Grizzlies crunch time offense consisted of bad shots, turnovers, and empty possessions.

Now, they bring in a player who is comfortable with the ball in his hands or as an off-ball connective piece. Smart has ranked in the Top 10 for assist: usage ratio amongst wings for the past five seasons. He didn’t have the ball that often in Boston, but he still found ways to make plays for his teammates. He averaged a career-high 6.3 assists last season. He’s put up at least 5.7 assists per game in the past three seasons.

Smart can also create for himself by getting to the rim. He can be a release valve late in the shot clock or clutch situations. This play against the Nets in the 2022 Playoffs shows his nerve and playmaking under pressure.

He’s not a particularly good shooter. He’s shot 41% from the field and 33% from three the past two seasons. But he commands more respect from three-point range than Dillon Brooks. If you choose to sag off Smart, he can make you pay as a passer – à la Draymond Green. More importantly, he knows his role. Smart averaged 10.2 field goal attempts per game over the past three seasons. Brooks averaged 14.8.

Smart will help Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. with his passing. He won’t take away from them by taking bad shots. This speaks to the last and perhaps most important quality he brings to the Grizzlies.

Providing the veteran leadership Memphis needs

Since Ja Morant’s first Instagram Live gun incident, NBA pundits have worn out the phrase “Memphis needs a veteran” like an old pair of socks. They aren’t wrong. While Steven Adams clearly tried to fill that veteran role, he didn’t have enough support. The Grizzlies had the fifth-youngest roster in the NBA last season, with an average age of 24. That youth reared its ugly head repeatedly, from Ja Morant’s off-court incidents to Dillon Brooks’ constant instigation to their horrific 16-28 road record (including playoffs).

Marcus Smart is the perfect elixir for Memphis’ disease of youth. He’s made the playoffs in each of his nine NBA seasons. He’s played in 108 playoff games – 10 more than the entire Grizzlies franchise. His Celtics teams have won 12 playoff series. He’s made big shots throughout those playoff runs.

Smart will set the example of incredible effort and demand his teammates to match it. He’s won the NBA Hustle Award three times. It’s no coincidence that he’s constantly been on winning teams when he constantly makes winning plays like this:

At age 29, he still fits the Grizzlies timeline. Barring major injuries, he should be ready to contribute for at least the remainder of his three-year, extremely team-friendly contract (he makes about $20 million annually). Smart can play a key part in this tantalizing title window for Memphis.

Smart doesn’t fill all the Grizzlies roster holes. Their projected starting lineup will be undersized with Ja Morant at 6’3”, Smart at 6’4”, and Desmond Bane at 6’6”. But Smart’s wingspan and defensive awareness alongside Bane’s strength should make up for that size deficit. Plus, they have this year’s DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. to clean up any defensive lapses.

Smart is also not the shooter Grizzlies fans coveted after this year’s playoff disaster vs. the Lakers. Yet he still should add value to the Grizzlies offense with his passing and his willingness to defer after playing with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The Grizzlies filled their hole in the starting lineup, provided insurance for Ja Morant’s suspension, and brought in the veteran they needed at the cost of Tyus Jones and two picks. This trade is an unqualified success for Memphis.