The Memphis Grizzlies had an eight-point lead on the Dallas Mavericks with 3:13 remaining in Tuesday’s NBA Cup contest. It felt like they would cruise to their seventh consecutive win and eliminate the reigning Western Conference champions, but things quickly unraveled. Marcus Smart had a hand in multiple disastrous plays that ultimately cost Memphis the win.
The Grizzlies gave up two first-round picks to acquire Smart in a 2023 blockbuster trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. The former Defensive Player of the Year was viewed as a crucial piece to push Memphis over the hump. They had made three straight playoff appearances but only won one postseason series. Things have not gone as planned since the trade.
The Grizzlies could not stay healthy last season and shockingly won just 27 games. It was a forgettable season. Memphis has their stars back and believes they can make a run. Smart has struggled this season and was demoted to a reserve role. He is playing behind rookie Jaylen Wells, and things may have reached a breaking point on Dec. 3.
Marcus Smart reminds Grizzlies fans he’s bound to be traded
Smart had his worst game of the season on Tuesday. He missed all seven of his field goal attempts and was held scoreless in 25.3 minutes of action. The 30-year-old had six assists, two rebounds, and three steals, but the Grizzlies were outscored by 13 points with him on the floor in a five-point loss. The numbers were bad, but watching down the stretch was even worse.
Luka Doncic airballed a 3-point attempt with 2:35 remaining on the clock. The ball was seemingly headed out of bounds to give Memphis possession before Smart leaped to save it. The 6’3 guard stepped on the end line to give possession back to Dallas in a five-point game. All fans could do was scratch their heads at the baffling play, but Smart was not done.
Just 30 seconds later, Smart fouled Luka Doncic in the backcourt after he got a rebound. The Grizzlies were in the penalty, which allowed the Mavericks superstar to shoot two free throws. Dallas was down three, but Luka cashed in the freebies to cut their deficit to one with just over two minutes remaining.
The struggles continued for Smart. He was guarding Doncic on the game-sealing play. As Luka drove, the Grizzlies guard got bumped in the face and tried to sell a foul call. With Smart out of the play, Jaren Jackson Jr. rotated over to cover Luka, and P.J. Washington was wide open for the triple to put it out of reach.
It was an abysmal game for Smart and continues a rough season. He averages 9.2 points, 4.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 21.2 minutes per game. It has been a struggle to stay healthy, and Smart is shooting just 36.2 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from 3-point range. Things have been bad, and it is fair to question his fit in Memphis. Wells is the present and future next to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane in the backcourt. That means Smart needs to go.
The 30-year-old is under contract through the 2025-26 season, so now is the time for the Memphis Grizzlies to trade him. They will not recoup the two first-round draft picks they paid, but the Grizzlies could get a superior fit as they gear up for a postseason run. After Tuesday’s performance, fans will be happy to get Marcus Smart off their roster.