NBA TRADE TALK: TDL over

[dirkfansince1998]

His defense is not nearly what it used to be, and it's only going to get worse.

I wonder where this is coming from. The Celtics have the 4th ranked defense in the league. Smart´s boxscore numbers are elite (1.9stls career high, 1.7 DBPM).
His on/off numbers are good (Celtics are 3.7pts better on defense with him on the floor). According to the available advanced metrics he is an elite defender (+2 Raptor, +2.9 EPM).

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Smart costs 18-20M. Green/Frank each cost 1-3M and as you say, do kinda the same things. That extra 15-20M matters hugely in a salary cap world.

And Smart is a better defender and ballhandler than both. Context was the questionable shooting.