Had former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ guard Marcus Smart entered the 2013 NBA Draft, he may have been one of the top two or three picks.
More from Boston Celtics
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
- Boston Celtics projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- David Griffin thanks rival Celtics for leverage in Anthony Davis trade talks
- NBA rumors: Damian Lillard trade becoming more trouble than it’s worth for Celtics
It would be surprising if that happened now, but Smart is still viewed as potential top-five pick and a certain top-10 pick. In fact, he could find himself in a very good situation – both the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have their eyes on Smart.
Many believe that if the Celtics did draft Smart, they would trade Rondo. However, when Chad Ford was asked about the possibility of the Celtics drafting Smart, he reported that many teams view Smart as more of a shooting guard than a point guard.
"Frank (AZ)You (and others) are pushing Smart as an option for the Celtics; if Smart is there for the C’s and they take him, that presumably means they’re moving Rondo, right? At least Exum can be slotted at 2, but Smart is 1 or bust, right?Chad Ford (1:32 PM)No. In fact a surprising number of GMS see Smart more as a 2 than a 1. He can play both positions. I think Aaron Gordon may be ahead of Smart on their board right now. But he is in play."
Smart has had some issues handling the ball, but is an excellent defender and has good size for a point guard, so there are teams that may be able to get away with using him as a two.
Smart is ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the draft. He averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season and shot 42.2% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc and 72.8% from the charity stripe. Smart measured in at 6’3.25 and 227 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25.