Here's his tweet following up on that:FWIW
Woj via sports radio
Celts in talks with Smart's agent for 4/48-52 type deal
You guys were right. I was wrong.FWIW
Woj via sports radio
Celts in talks with Smart's agent for 4/48-52 type deal
It might be a coincidence, or it could be that Boston wanted to keep options open for using Smart in a potential Kawhi trade scenario.Interesting it happens right after Kawhi saga ends.
Beyond just how he fits, he's a nearly-unique talent therefore hard to replace. I'm ok if this means no Rozier for the long term. (Although my hope is that he plays this year in Boston) Rozier is good, and getting better. But I think his skills exist in more players.I’m 100% on board with this signing at these rates. He’s not a scorer, but if he were, he’d be twice the price. On this team, especially in 2018-9, he doesn’t need to be a scorer, but this team will really appreciate all the other things he does, on both ends of the floor.
We have Rozier’s RFA rights next summer. That’s a better hedge.It's more years than I would have expected, but the AAV is right on. I thought he'd want to get back in free agency next summer or in 2020, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Boston probably willing to pay more in total dollars to secure more years. It's a hedge against Kyrie walking next summer.
If Kyrie walks you could argue they'd want to keep both Rozier and Smart. There are enough back-court minutes for both guys and the skill sets don't overlap in a way that causes redundancies. It's probably not the best use of the cap to keep both, but I could see the logic in doing it, at least for a year.We have Rozier’s RFA rights next summer. That’s a better hedge.
Because of the Tatum extension? So much can/does change in 3 years that I'd be happy to have the prime of a good player locked up at what will likely be a value contract at that time.You know you’ve managed the cap extremely well when Smart at 4/48 is the biggest thing we can complain about. It’s one year longer than I’d prefer but it won’t be a “bad” contract. We’ll just have to see how the Kyrie situation plays out.
This is a key component for me. The Celtics don't have the sort of mid-range contracts that are good trade fodder (because Ainge has done so well grabbing bargain deals and drafting real talent), but this is one such contract, and becomes even better once the cap jumps up again a la the Crowder and Bradley contracts.Fine with this. It's probably a tradeable contract even as is, and if he ever somehow improves his shooting (I know, I know), it's a massively plus contract. The team's internal valuations clearly suggest to them that he provides a lot of value if they're willing to do this with the tax looming, and those guys have earned the benefit of the doubt many times over when it comes to evaluating NBA talent.
Let's assume $12MM over four years. In terms of deals signed this offseason, it puts him behind Will Barton, ahead of Kyle Anderson and in line with Jusuf Nurkic. Comparing him to last year's signings, he's below Joe Ingles, above Tony Snell and Dion Waiters and in line with Patty Mills.92 Eric Gordon HOU $12,943,020 $13,500,375 $14,057,730
93 Kenneth Faried DEN $12,921,348 $13,764,045
94 Marcin Gortat WAS $12,782,609 $13,565,218
95 Cody Zeller CHO $12,584,270 $13,528,090 $14,471,910 $15,415,730
96 Miles Plumlee ATL $12,500,000 $12,500,000 $12,500,000
97 Nikola Mirotic NOP $12,500,000 $12,500,000
98 Zach Randolph SAC $12,307,692 $11,692,308
99 Nikola Vucevic ORL $12,250,000 $12,750,000
100 Solomon Hill NOP $12,236,535 $12,752,928 $13,258,781
101 Wilson Chandler DEN $12,016,854 $12,800,562
102 Derrick Favors UTA $12,000,000
103 Jeremy Lin BRK $12,000,000 $12,516,746
104 Kemba Walker CHO $12,000,000 $12,000,000
105 Austin Rivers
Basically around the 100th best paid guy in the league. When you consider Draft Picks, guys on the Vet Deals, ring chasers who willingly choose smaller contracts, That seems about right to me. Around 3-4th highest paid on a team. Not necessarily one of the 3-4 most talented on a team.
Who on that list would you rather have? 12 Million per is pretty pedestrian money nowadays. Kemba who is ridiculously cheap, but most everyone is eh.
Part of what makes Smart as great as he is at the things he is great at is his apparent unflinching belief that he is one of if not the best players on the floor at all times. Anyone expecting him to stop shooting his shots - because it seems like he is sure the next one will fall and, if not, the one after that - is going to be sorely disappointed.I’m ok with this as long as he has a realistic understanding of where he ranks as a shooter compared to the other Celtics on the floor at any given moment. So therefore I’m not sure I’m ok with this, even though there’s much I love about his game. But tradeable piece down the road, yup.
That’s well put. Nevertheless I reserve the right to complain about his shot selection in game threads.Part of what makes Smart as great as he is at the things he is great at is his apparent unflinching belief that he is one of if not the best players on the floor at all times. Anyone expecting him to stop shooting his shots - because it seems like he is sure the next one will fall and, if not, the one after that - is going to be sorely disappointed.
There's no way they keep all 3. The path forward from here is quite clear imo. They look to move Rozier all year, probably ending up not doing it because of low return. If it ever seems like Kyrie is disgruntled or looking to bolt, he gets moved. If both make it through the season on the team, they try to sign Kyrie, and match reasonable offers for Rozier if Kyrie walks. If Kyrie is back, Rozier probably walks for nothing.Reminder that Smart is on record as saying that his is worth “more than $12-14 million” per year. Those Woj numbers are at least in the ballpark. Anyway they can afford this contract plus keeping Kyrie and Rozier? I don't see how that adds up.
Agreed with all of that. I would only add that it's going to be hard for Rozier to make a leap with Kyrie and Hayward both healthy. There's only so many shots to go around to add to his value.There's no way they keep all 3. The path forward from here is quite clear imo. They look to move Rozier all year, probably ending up not doing it because of low return. If it ever seems like Kyrie is disgruntled or looking to bolt, he gets moved. If both make it through the season on the team, they try to sign Kyrie, and match reasonable offers for Rozier if Kyrie walks. If Kyrie is back, Rozier probably walks for nothing.
The only thing that would throw a wrench in all this is if Rozier makes a gigantic leap this coming season.
It won't be anywhere near 12.5 million. 4% increase in salary cap each year seems to be a fairly accurate # that is used. Thus, MLE also increases 4%. That would put it at 8.64 mill this year, then 8.99, 9.35, 9.72How much is MLE going up the next 3 years? This is slightly above what it’s supposed to be right? If so, really nice contract. Smart is our glue guy and is needed in order to do what we all want to be seen done.
Cap increases are going to be greater than 4% the next couple years, per existing projections. As of now the 2019-2020 cap is expected to be $109MM, with the non-taxpayer MLE being $9.246MM.It won't be anywhere near 12.5 million. 4% increase in salary cap each year seems to be a fairly accurate # that is used. Thus, MLE also increases 4%. That would put it at 8.64 mill this year, then 8.99, 9.35, 9.72
I thought the early reports were that the cap would go to 109 next year, and 116 the year after?It won't be anywhere near 12.5 million. 4% increase in salary cap each year seems to be a fairly accurate # that is used. Thus, MLE also increases 4%. That would put it at 8.64 mill this year, then 8.99, 9.35, 9.72
How many of those contracts were these teams tying to dump within 2 years? Paying above MLE for complementary players has historically been a losing bet. I wonder how long before Marcus gains back his contact weight while shooting 28% from 3 as Heinsohn is calling him "fat" again? This isn't a risk free deal.92 Eric Gordon HOU $12,943,020 $13,500,375 $14,057,730
93 Kenneth Faried DEN $12,921,348 $13,764,045
94 Marcin Gortat WAS $12,782,609 $13,565,218
95 Cody Zeller CHO $12,584,270 $13,528,090 $14,471,910 $15,415,730
96 Miles Plumlee ATL $12,500,000 $12,500,000 $12,500,000
97 Nikola Mirotic NOP $12,500,000 $12,500,000
98 Zach Randolph SAC $12,307,692 $11,692,308
99 Nikola Vucevic ORL $12,250,000 $12,750,000
100 Solomon Hill NOP $12,236,535 $12,752,928 $13,258,781
101 Wilson Chandler DEN $12,016,854 $12,800,562
102 Derrick Favors UTA $12,000,000
103 Jeremy Lin BRK $12,000,000 $12,516,746
104 Kemba Walker CHO $12,000,000 $12,000,000
105 Austin Rivers
Basically around the 100th best paid guy in the league. When you consider Draft Picks, guys on the Vet Deals, ring chasers who willingly choose smaller contracts, That seems about right to me. Around 3-4th highest paid on a team. Not necessarily one of the 3-4 most talented on a team.
Who on that list would you rather have? 12 Million per is pretty pedestrian money nowadays. Kemba who is ridiculously cheap, but most everyone is eh.
Well, Rozier already made his leap. It's akin to Reggie Jackson the year RWB was out prior to him returning to a more limited role before leaving for FA. I despise the term "know what you have" as most evaluators already do know but in Rozier's case he showed it last year so he isn't a secret.Agreed with all of that. I would only add that it's going to be hard for Rozier to make a leap with Kyrie and Hayward both healthy. There's only so many shots to go around to add to his value.
If the Celtics are letting him save face by going with their offer from last year, I expect they'd want 4 years of control in return.We've only seen something for 4 years and between 46 and 52. What is important too are what the years really are. Are they all guaranteed? Are there player or team options. I would think Smart would want 2 years locked and then an opt-out option to hit the market again.
This. If this deal gets done, it’s a huge relief going into the season. Just hope Marcus doesn’t balk at “only” $12M per year and blow it up.While he can be unbelievably frustrating, it's really hard for me to imagine the Celtics winning a championship without Marcus Smart doing peak Marcus Smart catalyst things (like breaking James Harden into a million pieces in the final minute of a game). I consider him an historically great competitor (sometimes to his/the team's detriment) and his toughness is ++, so all in all, I think re-signing him is a win for everyone involved.
This. My thoughts exactly.While he can be unbelievably frustrating, it's really hard for me to imagine the Celtics winning a championship without Marcus Smart doing peak Marcus Smart catalyst things (like breaking James Harden into a million pieces in the final minute of a game). I consider him an historically great competitor (sometimes to his/the team's detriment) and his toughness is ++, so all in all, I think re-signing him is a win for everyone involved.