While the Wizards continue to add pieces this offseason, there’s a chance they could buy out Marcus Smart for the remainder of his contract. Washington landed Smart in a trade last year after the guard started the season with the Grizzlies.
Smart would garner interest if he indeed bought out by the Wizards on the open market. If that ends up being the case, the Knicks will likely be among the potential suitors for Smart. Per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, the Knicks are monitoring the Smart situation if he becomes available this summer.
Smart, 31, has one year and $21.6 million left on his contract. The Wizards reportedly looked to trade him earlier this summer but haven’t found a suitor yet. So, instead, a buyout could be on the table as that would allow the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year to sign with a different team and potentially a contender.
The Knicks have an open roster spot, so Smart could be a fit there should the two sides agree. New York has pushed all-in with its current roster as it has title hopes after an East Finals appearance in last year’s playoffs. Of course, Smart landing with the Knicks would also be a tough sight for longtime Celtics fans who cheered him on at the beginning of his career.
Smart was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies in the 2023 offseason as Boston landed Kristaps Porzingis in the deal. Smart spent the first nine seasons of his career in Boston. Memphis was looking to take steps toward competing for a title as it valued Smart’s veteran leadership skills.
But Smart lasted just 1.5 seasons with the Grizzlies as he was hurt for the majority of his time there. He played in just 39 combined games in Memphis before he was shipped to the Wizards ahead of last season’s trade deadline. Smart averaged 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 34 games (seven starts) combined for the Grizzlies and Wizards last season.
Smart hasn’t been able to show why he was valued so highly in Boston since the trade as he’s battled injuries. But he could get the opportunity to show just that if he’s bought out by the Wizards in the coming days or weeks.
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