The Boston Celtics reportedly had the framework to trade away Marcus Smart in advance before the original Kristaps Porzingis proposal — one that included sending Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal with the Washington Wizards — fell through according to Boston.com’s Tom Westerholm.
“In other words, there’s a good chance the Celtics knew they could put together the framework to trade Smart in advance and were able to pivot quickly when the Clippers nearly torpedoed the deal,” Westerholm reported.
That seems to suggest that Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens begrudgingly dealt Smart away only after doing anything to find an alternative package involving another member of the backcourt.