Veteran guard Marcus Smart was introduced to the media for the first time as a member of the Grizzlies on Friday, following a three-team trade last month with the Wizards and Celtics that landed Smart in Memphis and sent Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston.
Smart will take over a key role on an up-and-coming Grizzlies squad that will be looking for guidance to take the next step in their climb up the Western Conference echelon.
Smart’s All-NBA defense and his timely three-point shooting will be a boon to the Memphis backcourt, especially with star Ja Morant out of the lineup due to his lengthy suspension to begin next season. The veteran guard will also be tasked with being a mentor to the young Grizzlies star once he returns from the league’s discipline.