:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60278551/usa_today_9803766.0.jpg)
Here’s the lede of The Herald’s Mark Murphy’s report:
Though the NBA marketplace has overflowed with activity since the opening of free agency on July 1, Marcus Smart and his negotiating team are still waiting for their first call from the Celtics.
And according to someone close to the Smart camp, who requested anonymity to comment on the situation, the Celts guard is frustrated with the lack of outreach from his team.
“He loves the Celtics, but with these crickets he’s hearing, he’s hurt and disgusted by it,” said the source.
The source continues to say that Smart is upset that there hasn’t been any communication between him and Danny Ainge and for a player that has poured his heart and soul into this team, it’s been frustrating. The source also suggests that if Smart takes the one-year qualifying offer, “that doesn’t bode well for the Celtics.”
Two days ago, CelticsBlog’s Keith Smith reported that both sides had talked on a new contract:
Sources: The Boston Celtics and Marcus Smart have had good dialogue on a new deal. Still not there, but neither side is in a rush. With cap space drying up around the league, it lessens need to rush to a new contract.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 3, 2018
And for what it’s worth, former Celtics and assistant coach Walter McCarty chimed in on Twitter:
Sources??? sources are funny people sometimes
— Walter McCarty (@waltermccarty) July 6, 2018
And back in June more than a week before free agency started, Smart was back in Boston to open his Young Game Changers camp and said that he saw himself back with the team next season. The Globe’s Gary Washburn also suggested that a Smart return is “high likely,” but the question is, for how long?