NBA TRADE TALK: TDL over

[SleepingHero]

Smart is essentially Josh Richardson on offense. If you trade for him expecting him to be a secondary playmaker, well, welcome back to 2021.

Smart isn't essentially JRich on offense. Sure he has horrid efficiency but his offensive impact metrics have always been average to slightly below average. Richardson here was worst than Josh Green. He literally couldn't score.

Smart can at least move the ball and create. He had 12 assists tonight. Richardson has never gotten double digit assists in a single game for his entire career.

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I just fear Smart will be a negative asset sooner rather than later.  His extension:

'22-23:  $16,607,142 (28y)
'23-24:  $18,583,713 (29y)
'24-25:  $19,960,285 (30y)
'25-26:  $21,336,856 (31y)

This is a valid fear. But defense is always been effort based. We've seen all-nba defenders last well into their thirties just because they knew how to manipulate people. I think Smart is that level of defender and why he's getting paid so much. Also, 31 is not too old to where we'd expect a drastic decline in performance barring any major injuries.