NBA Rumors: Grizzlies 'Have No Interest in' Trading Marcus Smart amid Rockets Buzz | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Ava Arnold The Memphis Grizzlies aren't planning on parting ways with Marcus Smart.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Grizzlies have "no interest" in trading Smart. Memphis may still be active on the trade market, though. Fischer noted that the Grizzlies are "a team to watch" in regards to moving up in the 2024 NBA draft, although the team is also "believed to be open" to trading down as well.
On Thursday, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are both "fans" of Smart. The former Defensive Player of the Year previously spent time with Udoka on the Boston Celtics during the 2021-22 season.
A potential trade with Houston could allow the Grizzlies to move up from the No. 9 pick to the Rockets' No. 3 choice in the draft, as Fischer revealed on Friday that the front office is interested in UConn center Donovan Clingan.
However, Memphis doesn't appear to be open to moving Smart in order to do so. After he was acquired in a three-team trade during the 2023 offseason, he appeared in just 20 games due to a finger injury. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 43.0/31.3/76.8 shooting splits in his limited action with the Grizzlies.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportMarcus Smart first bucket on the Grizzlies 🔥 <a href="">
As Memphis attempts to bounce back from an injury-plagued year and return to the playoffs, there's a strong chance that Smart is still on the team's roster entering the 2024-25 season.