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NBA Free Agency: Why OKC should avoid recruiting Marcus Smart

By Alex Mcewen

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Goofball or baller, should the OKC Thunder take a chance on Marcus Smart? The metrics advise steering clear of the guard during NBA Free Agency.

Marcus Smart is one of the most intriguing players in the NBA Free Agency market this summer. Foremost, teams will analyze whether Smart is legit, or merely a product of masterful Celtics head coach Brad Stevens system.

Furthermore, Smart is a very poor three-point shooter. In today’s climate, it’s unlikely a team rewards poor three-point shooting. Unless a player is elite in one facet of the game, there is no better example of such than Andre Roberson.

Statline

Per Game Table
Season Age Pos G MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% 2P% eFG% FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
2015-16 21 PG 61 27.3 3.0 8.7 .348 1.0 4.0 .253 .427 .405 2.7 .777 4.2 3.0 1.5 0.3 1.3 3.0 9.1
2016-17 22 SG 79 30.4 3.4 9.5 .359 1.2 4.2 .283 .420 .422 3.2 .812 3.9 4.6 1.6 0.4 2.0 2.4 10.6
2017-18 23 SG 54 29.9 3.5 9.5 .367 1.4 4.6 .301 .429 .440 2.5 .729 3.5 4.8 1.3 0.4 2.4 2.5 10.2
Career 261 28.7 3.1 8.7 .360 1.2 4.2 .293 .422 .431 2.6 .756 3.7 3.9 1.5 0.4 1.8 2.6 9.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/30/2018.

More on Smart’s struggles from behind the arc. Smart was the worst three-point shooter on the Celtics this past season 30.1 percent. Yet, he attempted the fourth most threes on the C’s, Smart’s volume in threes launched is one of Stevens most baffling decisions.

Moreover, Smart’s three-point percentage was so bad it would have ranked fourth worst on the OKC Thunder this past season. Behind only Roberson, Russell Westbrook, Jerami Grant, and Josh Huestis.

The Oklahoma City Thunder already has enough players on the roster who struggle from three-point territory. The team should focus on finding more decent to above average shooters, rather than the opposite.

Player Specifics

  • Height: 6′4″
  • Position: PG/SG
  • Age: 24-115 days
  • Years of experience in NBA: 4
  • Type of Free Agent: Unrestricted
  • Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
  • Salary the previous season: $4.5 million

With that, let’s get dive into Smart’s pros, cons, and watch a little film.

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