3 Celtics players who won’t be back next season

2. Marcus Smart

Smart deserves a lot of credit for evolving to become a higher volume shooter from beyond the arc (6.6 attempts per game last season; 5.9 attempts per game this season). Consistency, and proficiency, is another matter though. That said, he can fill the stat sheet across the board with intangible value beyond the box score.

But Smart missed 24 games during the regular season this year, and in the final two games of the Nets’ series, his shot completely left him (9-for-29 from the floor; 3-for-19 from 3-point range). In four of the five games of the Brooklyn series, he was a -9 plus/minus or worse.

Smart seems like an ideal complementary player to have around Tatum and Brown. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands, and he can guard multiple positions on the defensive end. But someone to fill that type of role can surely come cheaper than a $13.89 million salary next season and said hypothetical player might be better than a 33-35 percent 3-point shooter.

Next year also happens to be the final year of Smart’s contract. So he’s an ideal trade chip for the Celtics. As Stevens takes on the idea of breaking up a roster he couldn’t push all the way as the coach, Smart should garner some interest from other teams. If there’s a solid market, he’s as good as gone.