Former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart nearly declared for the NBA Draft a year ago. Instead he decided to return to school to improve his game and draft stock. [category-related]
There is no doubt Smart was a better player this season, but he did not improve his draft stock. If anything, he hurt it simply because this year’s draft features a much more talented group of prospects.
That, however, doesn’t mean Smart won’t be a top five or six pick.
According to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com, the teams with the fourth and sixth selections, the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, will be working out Smart in the coming days.
Marcus Smart will work out for Orlando on Monday, source told ESPN. Magic have No. 4 pick and desperately need a point guard.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 23, 2014
Marcus Smart will also work out for the Boston Celtics - who have the No. 6 pick -- source told ESPN. Smart could allow Ainge to move Rondo.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 23, 2014
Smart averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game last season.
The Sacramento Kings are also interested in Smart while the Utah Jazz could potentially pair Smart with their first round pick from 2013, Trey Burke, and the Los Angeles Lakers could make Smart the pick when they go on the clock with the seventh-overall pick.