The Boston Celtics have already moved on from several key members of their core this offseason, including Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Luke Kornet. However, could they be interested in bringing a former star back?
According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, “A potential reunion between Marcus Smart and the Celtics would not be off the table.”
Per Weinbach, the Washington Wizards may be looking to move Smart this offseason. They’re in the middle of a rebuild and trying to get younger, making the 31-year-old guard potentially expendable.
A potential reunion between Marcus Smart and the Celtics would not be off the table.The Wizards, who now carry 17 players on the active roster, are expected to offload key veterans to make room for younger assets and would reportedly prefer to send Smart to a desired location.— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) July 10, 2025
Smart is entering the final year of the four-year, $76.5 million contract extension he signed with Boston during the summer of 2021. The Celtics traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies two years later to acquire Porzingis in a three-team trade with the Wizards, who landed Smart last February in a separate three-team trade.
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The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year would likely be interested in returning to Boston, where he spent the first nine years of his career. He hasn’t been the same player since leaving the Celtics, as injuries and age have taken a toll on his career.
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Boston’s front office is familiar with Smart and could be interested in a reunion as well. However, his $21.3 million salary next season could be an issue, as the Celtics are trying to stay under the second apron after trading Porzingis and Holiday. They would likely need to send a sizable contract to Washington to offset Smart’s price.
Smart, who helped Boston reach the NBA Finals in 2022, has played only 54 games over the last two seasons combined. However, he could be a decent replacement for Holiday as a veteran point guard who’s solid defensively, especially since he’s already played for Joe Mazzulla and has chemistry with guys like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.