The Memphis Grizzlies moved on from Marcus Smart ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. They thought they were acquiring a difference-maker who fits their Grit-and-Grind mentality, but Smart struggled to stay healthy. He has played in just 19 of 51 games this season after missing 62 in his first full season in Memphis. The Grizzlies wanted some future financial savings and were willing to give up their 2025 first-round pick to get it.
The franchise was fresh off a third straight playoff appearance when they acquired Smart. Memphis was not part of the original deal. The Wizards had agreed to send Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics in a three-teamer involving the Clippers. LA was not comfortable with Malcolm Brogdon’s medicals, which killed the trade. Memphis swooped in to land Smart and has regretted it since.
With Smart out of town, the trade return changes drastically for the Grizzlies. Here is a look at how disastrous things have become.
Full details of Tyus Jones for Marcus Smart swap revealed
Memphis gave up Jones, the 25th pick in the 2023 draft, and the Warriors first-rounder in 2024 to get Smart. Those draft choices turned into Marcus Sasser and Bub Carrington. The Celtics clearly won the trade as Smart played just 39 games with the Grizzlies, but things got worse on Thursday afternoon.
Memphis parted with Smart to get Marvin Bagley III and two future second-rounders. They also had to give up their 2025 first-rounder and Jake LaRavia to dump Smart’s contract. Giving up three first-round selections, a quality point guard, and a young talent to get a big man who won’t be part of the nightly rotation, two seconds, and 39 games of Smart is a nightmare.
The Grizzlies traded Smart and Jake LaRavia to have money to extend Jaren Jackson Jr. in the offseason. Keeping the All-Star big man is a must, but the front office’s misplay on Smart has been painful. He was the heart and soul of the Celtics defense but was clearly declining. Memphis bought at the wrong time and paid a hefty price for their error.
The Marcus Smart era is over. The 30-year-old likely spends the remainder of the season on the rebuilding Wizards before being traded or bought out as an expiring contract this summer. It is too soon to tell what his next move will be. Hopefully, things go better than they did on Beale Street.
The Memphis Grizzlies believe they can make a serious run this season after this cost-cutting move. They need Ja Morant to stay healthy and to shine when the games matter most. Will it happen? Stay tuned to find out.