After trading for him last season, Marcus Smart might no longer be in the plans for the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards could buy out Smart's contract, leading him to hit the open market. And that could open the door for Smart to join a Boston Celtics rival.
New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported Thursday that the New York Knicks are keeping a lookout on Smart's situation as it would be expected that the veteran guard would have multiple suitors if he became a free agent.
The 31-year-old Smar, who spent nine seasons with Boston, has dealt with a slew of injuries since the Celtics traded him in the deal that netted the illustrious franchise Kristaps Porzingis. Smart played 54 games combined the last two seasons across stops with the Memphis Grizzlies and Wizards.
Smart is due to make $21.6 million this upcoming season -- the final year of his deal -- on a team that finished with the second-worst record in the NBA last season and isn't close to contending for the playoffs this year. It would be in the best interest of both sides to part ways via a buyout, allowing Smart to bring his experience to a perennial playoff team and letting the Wizards focus more on their younger players.
Smart, who averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds last season with the Grizzlies and Wizards, feels like a fit for the Knicks with his hard-nosed play. He would give the Knicks another terrific perimeter defender to pair with Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart.
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The Knicks could always just trade for Smart, but given Smart's contract, it would be more feasible to add him after he's bought out. But the Knicks will have to wait and see if that even happens.
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