Veterans the Chicago Bulls could get in a Thaddeus Young trade: Marcus Smart
If the Bulls did manage to pull off another trade deal with the Celtics for the defensive standout point guard Marcus Smart, would he be the starter of the future at this position?
That would be the big question mark for the Bulls if they were to actually pull off a trade deal this summer with a team like the Celtics for Smart. It’s clear that the Bulls would get a major upgrade in terms of perimeter defending in their backcourt rotation if Smart were to join the team.
But the question will almost always remain for Smart, what can he do to help a team on the offensive end of the floor.
Smart is effective when driving the lane and getting to the rim. He’s always excelled at bodying opposing defenders and using his big frame to get a nice push to the rim, which often also helps him get to the free-throw line.
Now a two-time All-Defensive Team selection and a 2014-15 All-Rookie Team honoree, Smart would certainly be an interesting way to go for the Bulls heading into next season.
Good news with Smart is that he had one of the more effective seasons of his career to date in terms of offensive production. During the 2020-21 regular season, Smart averaged a career-best 13.1 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. And he shot 39.8 percent from the field, 33.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 79.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Smart was particularly good, though, for the Celtics in the last two years in the playoffs. In five games in the postseason this year, Smart averaged 17.8 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.2 blocks. And he shot 43.9 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line.
If the Bulls were to trade for Smart this summer, it would likely come with the assumption that he would be the starting point guard for Donovan heading into next season.