Marcus Smart shares first thoughts on trade from Celtics: ‘it was a shock’

When the information of the Marcus Smart trade hit the Twitter timeline, Boston Celtics followers in all places had been flung right into a state of shock.

And so was Sensible.

“It was a shock,” Sensible mentioned. “My agent known as my fiancée, and he or she woke me up out of a sleep. Actually, proper after the deal had been made, and I feel [the media] had already tweeted it out. That’s how we came upon.”

Sensible spoke to reporters for the primary time because the commerce on the Dana Barros Basketball Heart in Stoughton, Massachusetts. He arrived as a spectator for a high-intensity grownup basketball event, however what ensued was a last sendoff of kinds.

The now-29-year-old veteran got here to Boston as a 20-year-old child almost a decade in the past. Celtics followers embraced him with love, and he hugged them again, bringing the love, belief, and hustle he grew to become recognized for.

And whereas he understands the enterprise aspect of the NBA, when the second got here for his time in Boston to finish, Sensible wasn’t saved within the loop.

“It was undoubtedly surprising to search out out that means, particularly as a result of the week earlier than, I used to be already advised we had been good, there have been no commerce talks with me, and we had been good,” said Smart. “I perceive the enterprise aspect of it. I’ve all the time been like that. I’m the primary one to inform anybody, ‘you may’t combine private with enterprise.’ It simply doesn’t combine. I perceive. It’s a enterprise.”

Sensible went from sleeping comfortably, realizing his place in Boston and his new dwelling to being shipped off to the Memphis Grizzlies and having to edit the Celtics brand off his Honey Dew Donuts campaign.

“For me, it’s simply the [lack of] courtesy,” Sensible mentioned. “They most likely already knew they had been interested by buying and selling me, [that] they’d this commerce of their again pocket simply in case one thing else didn’t occur. And for me, it’s simply the straightforward reality, ‘hey, we’re interested by buying and selling you — almost certainly we’ll commerce you — simply letting you understand. Thanks.’ Particularly with telling me the week earlier than, my home flooding, and having to take care of that. It was an entire lot directly.”

Now, Sensible will be part of a younger and hungry group of Grizzlies seeking to break by means of in a troublesome Western Convention, whereas the Celtics will welcome Kristaps Porzingis to city in hopes of getting over a hump of their very own.

The recollections and relationships Sensible created in Boston won’t ever stop to exist, and which may be probably the most tough a part of all of it.

“It was arduous, seeing the texts, listening to the man’s voices saying the goodbyes, reminiscing on the great occasions,” Sensible mentioned. “To have the ability to be with one group of fellows in a metropolis for thus lengthy, it’s robust.”

Picture by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Pictures

For Tatum, it was an Instagram submit. For Grant Williams, it was an announcement at a media look. And for others, it was a non-public discuss over the cellphone, defying the conspiracy-esque rumblings of Celtics Twitter.

“I really wish to clear up one thing I’ve seen on-line round as a result of JB [Jaylen Brown] didn’t submit one thing about me like JT did, that we had beef,” Sensible mentioned. “Jayson and Jaylen are my brothers for all times.”

Brown entered the league in Sensible’s third season and so they have been teammates ever since, forming a detailed relationship that goes far past the opinions of the general public eye.

“[When] my mother handed away, JB was really one of many individuals on that aircraft that got here to Dallas to the funeral,” Sensible mentioned. “I simply wish to shut all rumors now that me and JB had beef. I’ve no beef with anyone from the Celtics, none of my teammates. I really like these guys. They love me. We’re brothers, and I do know if I’m ever in want or need something, I can name these guys, and it’s vice versa. Me and JB, we’re nice. That’s my brother. He really texted me, and he was simply as disillusioned as I used to be. We’re good. I simply wished to clear that up.”

And whereas Sensible may need the scenario was dealt with otherwise, he made positive to emphasise that there’s no sick will in any respect.

“It was a troublesome dialog with Brad [Stevens]. He was very emotional, however like I mentioned, I’m positive there’s much more that went into that received’t be mentioned, can’t be mentioned,” Sensible mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s all love. Brad is aware of that. We’ve had our talks over time, we’ve had our moments, and I grew up with Brad as nicely. My first yr was his second yr. It was undoubtedly an emotional discuss for him, however, like I mentioned, the love will all the time be there, and there aren’t any arduous emotions.”

Throughout his time with the Celtics, #36 was one of the vital charming gamers of the last decade, however not within the conventional sense. Fifty-point video games and highlights dunks had been as an alternative changed by double-charge game-winners towards James Harden and Sport 7 trailer blocks on Norman Powell.

Sensible was one of the vital divisive figures amongst Celtics followers, however his work off the court docket drew zero debates. By means of his YounGameChanger Basis, Sensible was in a position to depart an unbelievable affect on the town of Boston that may by no means be questioned.

And on the court docket, he helped lead Boston to 4 Jap Convention Finals appearances, making the postseason in each single season he performed. He simply needs he may have helped them win Banner 18.

“Not really getting us one, that’s most likely my solely remorse,” Sensible mentioned. “I really like the journey that I’ve been part of with this group, with this staff. I couldn’t ask for extra. The one factor I remorse is we didn’t get [the championship] after we had our probability after I was right here. However aside from that, I’ve loved my run.”

Sensible’s tenure with the Celtics was as spectacular because it will get. And he’s grateful for it.

“I’m very grateful to the group, to the town, to my teammates for permitting me to be me and actually taking me in. A Dallas child, to have the ability to take me for every part I’ve, who I’m, and simply permit me to be me, I say thanks.”