[high floorParticipant]

With Payton really struggling down the stretch for Phoenix, I find it highly unlikely that he will receive a long-term offer from GM McDonough this summer. Meaning Phoenix will have a need for point guard heading into next season

Signs are firmly showing that Phoenix will select DeAndre Ayton with the first pick next week. To help instill a defensive culture, should Phoenix consider offering Marcus smart a multi-year contract? 

Devin Booker can carry the load on offense, as a facilitator and scorer.  But his defense is lacking.  Add Marcus smart as a backcourt mate, and that will allow Devin to focus more on what he does best. Also, DeAndre has shown strong offensive rebounding prowess…  which lightens the sting of Marcus Smarts horrific field goal percentage if DeAndre can give his team second chance opportunities.  Could help DeAndre build some confidence, and experience some success against other bigs in the post area. 

To be clear, I’m not saying Phoenix should do this.  I think they are more likely to select someone like Brunson with their additional first round pick. Just heard this as a rumor this morning and thought it was interesting enough to circulate amongst the forum

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Smart has came out and said he deserves 14-15 mill. If i’m PHX I wouldn’t pay him that much. They need more guards who are playmakers that make teammates better, he’s not one of those guards. Him and Brandon Knight on the same team making the same amount is a waste to me. 

[jpmarksParticipant]

 Marcus is a really good playmaker and makes his teammates better. Do your homework next time.

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 HAHA how does he create for his teammates?? They need a PG, you would have him run your starting five? You gotta stay off the video games youngin..

[celtics1982Participant]

 A bunch of us celtic fans were thinking the same thing. Something like a 3 year deal. In a way I think Smart is perfect for the Suns. He’d be your defensive leader and a great veteran to show the young guys how to play. Booker is a perfect back court partner for Smart. He’s very vocal and would change the culture of that team overnight. Booker could use a guy like Smart to help him learn how to play D. You need a good defensive player next to him. A guy like Brunson seems like a horrible fit, because he won’t be a good defensive player. Just my two cents, Celtics were built on getting athletic defenders that can switch defenders. With a bunch of players like that you can hide an Irving and still have the #1 D.

[BostonCs FanParticipant]

 I love Marcus Smart, true definition of a competitor. Probabaly the best in the league in drawing offensive fouls, but I’m in the belief that he will be forced to accept his qualifying offer sheet. Just don’t see a team out there, with barely any cap room  too go around that will pay him  whatever he’s seeking for. Terrific defender and team player but his offensive game is below NBA standards.

[pullapoParticipant]

 I love Smart as a Celtics fan and I think hes in the perfect role for him on this teams.  I’m also on record as saying Smart going to a bad team could be terrible for him and that team.  That said, I think Smart is a perfect fit in Phoenix.  He’s one of the best defenders in the league and can defend one through four.  You add him and his intensity to that team and it could change their entire culture, which would be monstrous with a potential superstar big coming in whose biggest question marks, defense and motor, are something Smart simply won’t put up with.  Someone also questioned his playmaking here in an earlier post but thats erroneous, he’s a terrific passer/playmaker.  If only he didnt shoot such awful shots SMH. 

Anyhow, all things considered Smart would probably be an excellent addition to any team in need of defense and leadership, as long as that team understands what their getting and values him as a super sub/6th man.  For what he can do for Ayton and that team, I think hes worth the 15 mil.  He’s a culture changer.

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

They’re better off throwing an offer sheet at someone like Dante Exum. Igor is familiar with him, he also brings good size and defense at the PG spot. He’ll still only be 23 when next season starts, so there’s room for growth if he’s able to stay healthy.

[TRC1991Participant]

Dante Exum? Guy has proven he’s not good enough to be a starter in this league. Don’t waste your money, Phoenix. Or sign him if you strictly envision him as a bottom-tier backup PG which is his ceiling because he can’t shoot nor can he stay healthy 

[The GoatParticipant]

Ridiculous. Hes far from done. The guy had zero experience when drafted at a young age, then had freak, not recurring, injuries. His shot has improved out of sight, he is sound defensively, has good size, speed and he contributed in the playoffs. He has hardly played any basketball at a competitive level yet. High school basketball in Canberra is at best the equivalent of American junior high school. Im probably being generous. He’ll need 3-4 years on the actual court playing real  minutes before seeing what he can do and that was known when he was drafted.

[celtics1982Participant]

 The guy has started 67 games in his career, played over 3 seasons in 162 games and 17 more playoff games. He’s never posted a positive offensive or defensive boxscore per basketball Refrence.  No one is signing him to start. He’s like a 3rd pg currently on a good team. I’d take Shane Larkin over him.

[Evan_MilbergParticipant]

Love Smart’s gritty style of play, but I don’t think he’s a starter in the league. He’s in the perfect role in Boston right now, and I don’t think a team like Phoenix should overpay for him. We’ve seen what happens when teams overpay for high-performing role players like Landry Fields, DeMarre Carrol, Ian Mahinmhi and Bismack Biyombo. If anything, Rozier is the guy teams should be targeting as a long-term starter. Also, given the level of depth at PG in this draft, they’re in a great position to get a good one at 16. 

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