NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Boston Celtics to select Marcus Smart?

When it looked like former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart was a lock to enter the 2013 NBA Draft and be selected in the top-5, the Orlando Magic, who held the second overall pick, were very interested in Smart. [category-related]

The Magic, who hold the fourth-overall pick in this year’s draft, still seem high on Smart, but most believe they prefer Australian point guard Dante Exum.

Another team that has shown a lot of interest in Smart is the Boston Celtics. Both the Celtics and Magic have workouts scheduled with the former Cowboys’ star.

Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald believes the Celtics could make Smart the sixth-overall pick of next month’s draft.

"But Smart’s fire — leadership may be his most innate talent — could count for just as much.One Celtics staffer, asked about Smart’s best trait, said, “He’s just so tough.”Beyond momentarily losing his mind at Texas Tech, Smart also has no regrets, especially where his return to Oklahoma State was concerned.Celtics forward Jared Sullinger made the same choice after an outstanding freshman year at Ohio State, and respects Smart’s individuality.“What people don’t realize is that someone can be NBA-ready basketball-wise, but (not be ready) off the court,” Sullinger said recently. “This year was big for (Smart) because he learned how to handle . . . not the disrespect, but the way of being the man of the team. He had his hiccups, but he also recovered from them in the way he treated his teammates and the way he was in the games. He did everything."

Smart averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season.