Hall of Famer questions Celtics' decision to trade Marcus Smart

The Boston Celtics made the tough decision to include Marcus Smart in a three-way trade to acquire big-man Kristaps Porzingis early Thursday morning. While many believe moving Smart was a necessary evil, Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway has reservations about the Celtics' deal. 

Appearing on "The Carton Show" on FS1 Thursday, Hardaway asked the question undoubtedly on the mind of Boston fans everywhere. 

"Who is going to lead that team?" Hardaway said. "Who is going to bring that team together when things are getting tough - they don't have a leader on that team." 

Smart was invaluable to the Celtics over his nine seasons in Boston. Not only was he a leader on and off the hardwood, but his ferocious defense often set the tone for some of the franchise's best teams over the past decade or so. Replacing his value will be challenging, if it is even possible. 

Outsiders may point to Jayson Tatum or another Celtics veteran to fill the leadership void. But, while Hardaway admitted that Tatum might be the best player on the team, he doesn't believe the four-time All-Star can fill Smart's role, adding that he had "never seen" those leadership skills on the floor. 

A first-round pick by Boston in the 2014 NBA Draft, Smart was the longest-tenured Celtic on roster and a fan favorite. A three-time All-NBA defensive team honoree and the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, Smart, like many Celtics fans, was "shocked" by the trade, believing he would retire having played his entire career in a Celtics uniform. 

The sting from Smart's trade may take a while to wear off in Boston. And we'll have to wait and see the impact of his absence from the lineup. The deal could also pay off big time for the Celtics, though. Not only did they acquire the 7-foot-7 Porzingis, coming off a career year, but the trade netted them two first-round picks as well.