The New Orleans Pelicans need smart, tough players who play good defense and can cover multiple spots.
On paper, one of the ideal players would be Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics.
Normally the Celtics would likely laugh in your face, as Smart is very good, the emotional leader of the team and the exact type of ego-less player you want to put around your stars.
But the Celtics are underperforming this season and may be looking to shake things up. Also, Marcus Smart is currently out for weeks with an injury and the Celtics may need some players to stay above water while they wait for him to return.
The question is what it would take to pry him away?
New Orleans Pelicans: Could the Pels trade for Marcus Smart?
The Celtics are not going to give Smart away and it would probably take a pretty big offer to get him.
Danny Ainge is not known for getting fleeced in trades, so the Pels aren’t getting Smart unless they give up something in return.
His contract matches up with Eric Bledsoe’s but the Pels would have to add further assets to even get the Celtics to pick up the phone.
Obviously, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram aren’t going anywhere and Lonzo Ball is playing himself into that category even though he is on the final year of his contract.
Would a 1st-round pick be enough to entice the Celtics? Ainge does love his draft assets but it might not be enough for a Marcus Smart even though he is injured.
Who says no?
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Marcus Smart
The Boston Celtics have only won four of their last ten games and are currently the 4th seed in the East, 4.5 behind the 1st place 76ers.
With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown playing at an All-NBA level, the Celtics have an opportunity to win now and into the future, but with Smart out with injury, their chances are fading.
With Smart out for several weeks, the Celtics could find themselves in a deep hole if they continue to play poorly.
Eric Bledsoe is a reasonable replacement, as he is having the best year of his career shooting the 3-point shot and can still defend when he decides to care.
He is not as good, nor as versatile as Smart but would give the Celtics another shooter and sometimes ball handler as they try to stay afloat in the East.
For their troubles they get a future 1st-round pick that they could use to package for another big trade or to add more young talent to their roster.
Celtics’ fans are getting restless and a bit tired of the idea of “the future,” as the franchise has had a million future picks forever and has yet to do much with them.
This would probably be an unpopular move but the Celtics would at least have to consider it, as it helps them now and in the future.
New Orleans Pelicans: Marcus Smart brings a culture change
The New Orleans Pelicans hoped to change their losing culture when they hired Stan Van Gundy and so far it is not going as planned.
There have been some positive signs and not all of this (or even most of it) can be put on SVG, though some fans love to blame his “schemes.”
The truth is that schemes don’t matter if you don’t have the players, especially on the defensive end. Defense is not about schemes, it’s about will. It’s about hustle. It’s about determination.
Marcus Smart brings all of those things and his play is infectious.
He is exactly the type of guy the Pels should be looking for, as he brings a lot to the table without taking much off.
Smart have never been much of a 3-point shooter but the Pels don’t need scoring, they need players who hustle and defend. Smart is one of the best defensive guards in the league and can make plays, two things the Pels could use.
This would be a no-brainer for the New Orleans Pelicans in my opinion though they may have to give up more to get it done.
The New Orleans Pelicans need to inject some life and defense into this roster and Marcus Smart could be the guy to do it. Now may be the time to strike, as the Celtics are getting desperate and his value may never be lower.