Report: Celtics and Marcus Smart agree to four-year, $77 million extension

Per multiple reports, the Boston Celtics and guard Marcus Smart have agreed to a contract extension. The new deal will see Smart paid $77 million over four years. The extension will have Smart under contract with Boston through 2025-26.

It’s been reported that Smart’s extension includes a trade bonus, but has no options.

Smart is the longest tenured Celtic, having been with the franchise since he was drafted with the sixth pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. During that time, Smart has become Boston’s unofficial captain and a franchise favorite for his all-out style of play.

In 2020-21, Smart averaged career highs in points (13.1 PPG), assists (5.7 APG) and minutes (32.9 MPG). Unfortunately, the increased production came with some fall-off in Smart’s shooting. He shot just 39.8% overall and only 33% from behind the arc.

New Celtics head coach Ime Udoka recently said the team’s plan is to have Smart function as their primary playmaker. This backs up comments from Udoka’s introductory press conference where he stated Smart is a “foundational player”.

This new extension also exhibits a significant commitment from Smart’s former head coach, and now President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens. Stevens was once asked about Smart’s play and famously said “We love and trust him”. With this new contract, Stevens’ statement is backed up in a considerable way.

Smart joins teammate Jayson Tatum as Celtics who are signed through 2025-26. Tatum has a player option for that season worth $37.1 million. Jaylen Brown is under contract through 2023-24.

This extension for Smart seemingly takes Boston out of the running to create max cap space in the summer of 2022. That path was always unlikely, given it would have meant declining several 2022-23 team options this fall for players on their rookie scale contracts.