“Wish I could have been a part of it” – Marcus Smart gets candid speaking about Celtics winning last season’s title without him

After unexpectedly trading veteran guard Marcus Smart last offseason, the Boston Celtics got over the hump and captured the 2024 NBA championship. Nevertheless, according to Smart, he wholeheartedly supported his former team throughout its title run.

Selected No. 6 by Boston in the 2014 NBA draft, Smart played the first nine years of his career with the franchise. During that span, he became a fan favorite, getting dubbed the “heart and soul” of the team as he racked up defensive accolades.

The Celtics made numerous deep playoff runs during Smart’s tenure, making five Eastern Conference finals appearances and securing a 2022 NBA Finals berth. However, they continuously came up short of their championship goal.

In late June last year, Boston sent shockwaves across the NBA world by trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. The three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards landed the organization stretch big man Kristaps Porzingis, altering the makeup of its roster.

A few months later, the Celtics acquired veteran star point guard Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers. Thus, they revamped their starting unit around their superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown entering the 2023-24 campaign.

Boston’s new-look squad proved dominant, obtaining a league-best 64-18 record. Afterward, it cruised to a 16-3 postseason mark, capturing the franchise’s record-breaking 18th title.

During NBA Media Day on Monday, Smart recounted enthusiastically supporting his ex-team’s success from afar, noting how difficult the experience was.

“I was probably the most excited person for them,” Smart said. “… We went through a lot of battles, blood, sweat and tears … I wish I would have been a part of it because I worked so hard, but at the end of the day, they deserved it.”

While the Celtics prospered, Marcus Smart’s first year in Memphis was derailed by injuries. He suited up in only 20 games, missing the season’s second half due to a right hand ailment.

Smart was one of several Grizzlies starters who sustained serious injuries, including star point guard Ja Morant (right shoulder tear). The banged-up team ultimately finished just 13th in the Western Conference (27-55).

Marcus Smart debuts new look at NBA Media Day ahead of second season with Grizzlies post-Celtics trade

While Memphis became an afterthought last season, the squad is expected to return to the West’s upper echelon in the 2024-25 campaign.

During Media Day, Marcus Smart debuted a new-look short hairstyle. The one-time Defensive Player of the Year cited his desire to “start fresh” in his second year with the Grizzlies.

Smart is projected to play a pivotal part as a two-way role player for Memphis this upcoming season. If he can return to an All-Defensive-level, that should bode well for the Grizzlies’ chances of having a bounce-back season.

Before Smart’s arrival, Memphis made three consecutive playoff appearances, securing back-to-back top-two West finishes.