NBA Free Agency 2018: One signing every team should make

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics plays defense against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics — Marcus Smart

Boston made its big free agency splashes in the last two summers in landing Al Horford in 2016 and Gordon Hayward in 2017. With Hayward (and Kyrie Irving) coming back from injury this fall, there is no real need to create space and nab the biggest name available in free agency this summer. For the Celtics, making a trade for a star is the more realistic path anyway.

This should make Marcus Smart Boston’s top priority this summer. There is already rumored interest in him from the Pacers and, even in a summer where money is tight, Smart is someone who good teams will want. His game is often ugly and his 3-point shot isn’t always consistent enough for teams to always pay attention to him in the playoffs. But he hustles, the Celtics are better when he’s on the floor and it’d be hard to replace what he brings with any minimum signing or draft pick. Smart doesn’t have a ton of leverage, but that’s it.

There are, of course, potential complications. Smart could accept his qualifying offer and bet on a bigger deal next summer when more money is expected to be available across the league. He could sign a offer sheet that Boston decides is too much for them to match, especially considering that, at some point, they have to pick one of their own guys not to pay and it’s likely going to be Smart this year or Terry Rozier next year.

But, depending on the price, Smart helps Boston win now when the East could be more open than it’s been in some time. And, barring injury, he’s a tradeable player a year from now.

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