{"id":233281,"date":"2021-08-22T14:56:18","date_gmt":"2021-08-22T12:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=233281"},"modified":"2021-08-22T14:56:18","modified_gmt":"2021-08-22T12:56:18","slug":"celtics-sign-marcus-smart-to-contract-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/celtics-sign-marcus-smart-to-contract-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Sign Marcus Smart to Contract Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON, MA<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Boston Celtics have signed seven-year NBA veteran Marcus Smart to a contract extension, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to have the opportunity to extend Marcus, and thankful that he has chosen to remain a Celtic,\u201d said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. \u201cIn his seven years in Boston, he has made a big impact, on and off the court. It is not a coincidence that every team he\u2019s played on has been in the playoffs, with several series wins throughout the years. He adds to winning on both ends of the floor, and competes with a grit and toughness that few match.\u201d<\/p>\n

Originally drafted by the Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Smart has played all seven of his NBA seasons with Boston and stands as the organization\u2019s longest currently-tenured player. He has produced 10.2 points (37.6% FG, 32.0% 3-PT, 77.7% FT), 3.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 29.4 minutes across 449 career games (228 starts), and is one of three Celtics players to ever average 7.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steal through each of their first seven NBA seasons (Larry Bird, Antoine Walker).<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nowhere else I\u2019d rather play and no other fans I\u2019d rather play in front of. I love Boston, and Boston loves me,\u201d said Smart. \u201cWe\u2019ve had some great moments and success in my time here, but there\u2019s more to accomplish. I\u2019m ready to put that Celtics jersey back on and get to work out on the Parquet with my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smart, 27, has been selected to the NBA\u2019s All-Defensive First Team twice in his NBA career (2018-19, 2019-20), making him the first Celtics player to earn All-Defensive First Team honors in consecutive seasons since Kevin Garnett in 2007-08 and 2008-09.<\/p>\n

In 48 games (45 starts) in 2020-21, Smart averaged career highs in points (13.1 ppg), assists (5.7 apg), and minutes played (32.9 mpg). It was the second straight year in which he recorded at least 12.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals.<\/p>\n

A native of Lancaster, TX, Smart currently ranks fourth on the franchise ledger for three-point field goals (677) and sixth all time with 702 steals.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/t.co\/677UMfjd2F<\/a><\/p>\n

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 21, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n