BREAKING: Marcus Smart Reuniting with Boston Celtics on 2-Year, $11M Deal After Wizards Release
In a stunning turn of events, veteran guard Marcus Smart is officially heading back to where it all began. After being released by the Washington Wizards earlier this week, Smart has agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal to rejoin the Boston Celtics, league sources confirmed Tuesday.
The move brings Smart back to the franchise where he spent the first nine seasons of his career, becoming a fan favorite and one of the NBA’s premier defensive players. His return is expected to bolster Boston’s depth, toughness, and locker-room leadership as the Celtics aim to defend their 2025 NBA Championship.
“It feels like coming home,” Smart said in a brief statement through his agent. “Boston is family.”
Back Where He Belongs
Smart, now 31, was originally selected by the Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Over the years, he became synonymous with the team’s defensive identity, winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022—the first guard to do so since Gary Payton in 1996.
During his time in Boston, Smart averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game across nine seasons. More than the numbers, he was known for his grit, intensity, and willingness to take on any defensive assignment. From guarding All-Star wings to diving for loose balls, Smart epitomized “Celtic Pride.”
The franchise traded him in a shocking three-team deal during the 2023 offseason that brought Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston, a move that many fans viewed with mixed emotions despite the team’s eventual championship success.
Recent Journey and Buyout
Smart played last season with the Memphis Grizzlies before being dealt to Washington in a salary dump earlier this summer. With the Wizards in full rebuild mode and no plans to contend, the two sides agreed to a buyout over the weekend, allowing Smart to become a free agent.
The Celtics, who had been monitoring his situation closely, wasted no time. According to sources, team president Brad Stevens reached out within hours of the buyout being finalized.
Fitting into the 2025-26 Roster
Smart is expected to play a key bench role behind Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, adding defensive depth and playmaking off the bench. With Malcolm Brogdon gone and Payton Pritchard still developing, Smart provides championship experience and a steady hand to guide Boston’s second unit.
“Marcus brings a unique energy to this team,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He knows what it means to wear this jersey. We’re thrilled to have him back.”
Financially, the deal is team-friendly at just $5.5 million per year. The second year reportedly includes a player option, giving Smart flexibility while showing mutual commitment from both sides.
Fan Reaction and Legacy
Celtics fans erupted on social media as the news broke, with tributes pouring in for one of the team’s emotional leaders. For many, this isn’t just a signing—it’s a homecoming.
After two years away, Marcus Smart is once again a Boston Celtic—and the TD Garden is ready to welcome him back with open arms.
