The Celtics took a big risk last summer, and they continued to reap the rewards after Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

Boston traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards to the C’s. That deal began a pivotal offseason for the Celtics that led to them winning the franchise’s 18th NBA championship.

Ironically, the Grizzlies and Wizards were in business minutes before the trade deadline when Memphis traded Smart to Washington as part of a three-team deal. The Grizzlies were forced to deal with a 2025 first-round pick and only got Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis and multiple second-round picks.

In fairness to Memphis, the deal helped it offload Smart’s contract; the veteran was set to make over $20 million this year and next year. The reported trade helps it re-sign Jaren Jackson Jr. and allows it to sign a player who can better help them compete in the Western Conference.

However, it’s not hard to view Thursday’s reported trade as a big victory for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. The Celtics not only won the trade by acquiring players who helped them win a title, but they also won by parting ways with Smart at the right time.

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Smart was a non-factor for the Grizzlies primarily due to injuries. The sacrifice and effort the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year gave Boston for nine years seems to finally have caught up to Smart. The guard’s only value to Memphis was as a veteran leader, but his contract didn’t justify keeping him. It allows players like rookie Jaylen Wells to continue to make an impact and allow a potentially returning Vince Williams Jr. to regain a spot in the rotation.

It might have hurt fans’ hearts, but the Celtics were wise to part ways with Smart when they did and also not allow a win-win trade on the other end of the deal.

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