Why was Smart given up by the Celtics? How did he get transferred to the Lakers?

In the game against the Hornets, Smart contributed 7 steals, setting a new single-game record this season. Fans called the Lakers' signing "so sweet". Why was this former best defensive player given up by his parent team, the Celtics? How did he get transferred to the Lakers?

The time is pulled back to June 21, 2023. At 11 o'clock in the evening, Smart had fallen asleep, but his wife saw the information that he had been traded on Twitter. While still in doubt, his agent called and Smart cried sadly. On the one hand, he felt that he was not respected. Even if it was a transaction, he should have been greeted first. On the other hand, he couldn't let go of the brotherhood he had established with Brown, Tatum and Horford. When Smart's mother died of cancer in 2018, it was these brothers who helped him get out of the trough.

Smart was the No. 6 pick selected by the Celtics in 2014. After nine years of training, he has won three All-Defensive Teams, three Best Fighting Awards, and became the first defender to win the Best Defensive Player award in 26 years since Gary Payton. Its characteristics perfectly fit with the Green Army's iron-blooded defense tradition, and it is even called the "spirit of the team" by fans.

However, the Green Army had three major reasons to send him away during the 2023 offseason.

First, balance the lineup. At that time, the Green Army's back line was redundant, with the main players including White, Brogdon and Smart. As a result, potential rookie Pritchard's playing time was severely squeezed, and he was not even allowed to apply for a trade to the management. The only centers that the team can really play are Horford and Rowe. In view of the latter's frequent injuries, the inside reserve is extremely fragile. Stevens, president of the Green Army, personally admitted that balancing the lineup is the primary goal in the offseason. They will pursue Porzingis, a space-based center that adapts to the Green Army's "five-outside system."

Second, trading chips. The Celtics initially chose to use Brogdon as a bargaining chip, and had reached a three-way trade agreement for Porzingis with the Wizards and Clippers. However, the Clippers later withdrew from the deal because they were worried about Brogdon's injury risks. The latter strained his right forearm in the Eastern Conference Finals that year. The Clippers' move indirectly led to a decline in Brogdon's market, and the Celtics had to endure the pain and choose between White and Smart. At this time, the team's sophistication tipped the balance in Smart's favor.

Third, leadership status. From 1950 to 2015, appointing a captain as a leader has been an important Celtic tradition. However, former coach Stevens ended this tradition, which was intended to be "collective leadership" and allow everyone to dare to take responsibility. This also allowed Smart, who has served the longest, to gradually gain a high say.

When Uduka was the head coach, he tried to restore the captaincy system, but was vetoed by Smart, who was unwilling to hand over actual leadership. Tatum and Brown are already low-key, and Smart's prestige hinders the growth of dual-core leadership. In 2022 and 23, after losing successively in the Finals and Eastern Conference Finals, the management also felt that it was urgent to establish a new core, so they finally put Smart on the shelf.

Unfortunately, after being traded to the Grizzlies, Smart suddenly changed from an "iron man" to a "glass man". He suffered serious ankle and finger injuries one after another. He only played 39 games in one and a half seasons. Then he was dumped by the Grizzlies to the Wizards as a burden and only played in 15 games. Unexpectedly, Smart, who is only 31 years old and has an annual salary of 20 million, has become a non-performing asset.

During this offseason, the Lakers' high-quality 3D Finney Smith switched to the Rockets. Doncic proposed to the management the need to strengthen defensive wings. The Lakers immediately targeted Smart, and Doncic personally made two recruiting calls to him, making him feel respected. Smart finally gave up $6.8 million, reached a buyout agreement with the Wizards, and joined the Lakers for 11 million in two years.

Smart has currently played in 9 games, averaging 10 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game. He also undertakes a large number of leading and switching tasks, which is extremely cost-effective. When he stole the Hornets, launched a fast break, and used a pass from behind his head to help Doncic score, the latter's smile was enough to explain the significance of this.