20 things to look forward to this NBA offseason

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics looks on after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

6. Do the Celtics retain Marcus Smart?

After seeing how quickly Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley turned into pumpkins upon their departure from Boston this past season, rival NBA teams have to be nervous about going after Marcus Smart in restricted free agency.

Smart is a dogged, versatile defender with a 6’9″ wingspan, which gives him the ability to cover just about any position on the floor. In a hypothetical NBA Finals matchup against the Golden State Warriors next season, he’d be one of the Celtics’ keys to slowing down Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

The question, as always, comes down to price.

“To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-14 million,” Smart told ESPN.com’s Jackie MacMullan. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”

According to MacMullan, “The Celtics are resigned that Smart will opt for a bigger payday elsewhere instead of taking a hometown discount.” However, as ESPN.com’s Chris Forsberg noted, “the lack of teams with the resources and desire to add a player with Smart’s skill set” makes it “unlikely he’d get the sort of offer that would make it prohibitive for the Celtics to bring him back.”

It’s difficult to justify shelling out eight figures annually to a career 36 percent shooter, no matter how good he is defensively. It only takes one enamored team to force Boston into a difficult decision, though.

Next: 5. Who signs Isaiah Thomas, and for how much?

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