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NBA free agency rumors: Sacramento Kings may turn attention to Marcus Smart

By Jeremy Lambert

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)
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) /
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Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics still haven’t agree on a new contract. The Sacramento Kings might be on their way to put pressure on both parties.

The Sacramento Kings aren’t giving up on their chase for a restricted free agent. After the Chicago Bulls matched their offer sheet to keep Zach LaVine, the Kings are reportedly putting together an offer sheet for Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

No official offer sheet has been sent, but the dots seem to connect. As evident by their offer sheet to LaVine, the Kings are looking for a young guard to grow with their current core. Smart, 24, is a year older than LaVine, but comes with playoff experience. Smart may not have the same offensive upside as LaVine, but his defense more than makes up for it. Not only can Smart guard anyone on the perimeter, he’s not afraid to push and shove down low with any power forward or center.

Smart averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 54 games for the Celtics last season.

His defensive prowess is a big part of Boston’s identity. However, with Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Jayson Tatum emerging as future stars, and Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning to full health, Danny Ainge and company may view Smart as expendable. There were rumors that the Celtics were shopping Smart at the trade deadline, fearing they would be unable to keep him in the offseason.

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If the Kings send an offer sheet to Smart, and he accepts, the Celtics would have 48 hours to match.

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