In a move that has sent shockwaves through both coasts of the NBA world, Marcus Smart, once the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics, has officially joined the Los Angeles Lakers. But while Smart is embracing his new chapter in purple and gold, he’s fully aware of what awaits him when he returns to TD Garden — and he’s not sugarcoating it.
“I’m expecting boos,” Smart said bluntly during a recent press conference in L.A. “I’m expecting some hate. That’s just how it goes when you leave a place that passionate.”
Smart spent nine seasons in Boston, carving out a reputation as a relentless defender, emotional leader, and one of the most beloved Celtics in recent memory. Drafted sixth overall in 2014, he embodied everything the franchise claimed to stand for: toughness, loyalty, and hustle. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, helped lead the team to multiple Eastern Conference Finals, and was a key piece in their 2022 NBA Finals run.
So why the animosity?
For many Celtics fans, it’s not just that Smart left — it’s that he left for the Lakers. The historic rivalry between Boston and Los Angeles is one of the most storied in all of sports. Players who switch between these franchises — especially those with deep roots — often find themselves in the eye of a storm.
“I get it,” Smart said. “If the roles were reversed, I’d probably be mad too. But this is a business. The Celtics made a decision last year to move on from me, and the Lakers gave me an opportunity to prove I’ve still got a lot to give. I’m here to win.”
Indeed, Smart’s move wasn’t entirely of his own making. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023, a move that shocked fans and teammates alike. After an injury-riddled season in Memphis, the Lakers signed him in a free agency deal that many analysts see as one of the smartest under-the-radar acquisitions of the summer.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka praised Smart’s intensity and leadership, calling him “a perfect fit for our identity.” With LeBron James nearing the end of his career and Anthony Davis needing a reliable floor general, Smart could play a crucial role in a potential title push for L.A.
But the emotional baggage of his Boston legacy still looms.
Social media has already erupted with mixed reactions. Some Celtics fans have voiced their heartbreak, while others accused Smart of betrayal. Yet, just as many have offered messages of support, thanking him for his years of service and acknowledging that the Celtics themselves moved on first.
Smart, for his part, remains respectful — but focused.
“I’ve got nothing but love for Boston,” he said. “That city made me who I am. The fans, the organization, my teammates — I’ll never forget what we built. But I’m not playing for Boston anymore. I’m a Laker now, and I’m coming to compete.”
The first showdown between the Lakers and Celtics this season is already one of the most anticipated games on the calendar. The TD Garden crowd is expected to be electric — and divided. Whether he’s cheered, booed, or both, Marcus Smart knows it’s going to be emotional.
“I’ll probably tear up a little,” he admitted. “But then the ball goes up, and it’s war.”
In a move that has sent shockwaves through both coasts of the NBA world, Marcus Smart, once the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics, has officially joined the Los Angeles Lakers. But while Smart is embracing his new chapter in purple and gold, he’s fully aware of what awaits him when he returns to TD Garden — and he’s not sugarcoating it.
“I’m expecting boos,” Smart said bluntly during a recent press conference in L.A. “I’m expecting some hate. That’s just how it goes when you leave a place that passionate.”
Smart spent nine seasons in Boston, carving out a reputation as a relentless defender, emotional leader, and one of the most beloved Celtics in recent memory. Drafted sixth overall in 2014, he embodied everything the franchise claimed to stand for: toughness, loyalty, and hustle. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, helped lead the team to multiple Eastern Conference Finals, and was a key piece in their 2022 NBA Finals run.
So why the animosity?
For many Celtics fans, it’s not just that Smart left — it’s that he left for the Lakers. The historic rivalry between Boston and Los Angeles is one of the most storied in all of sports. Players who switch between these franchises — especially those with deep roots — often find themselves in the eye of a storm.
“I get it,” Smart said. “If the roles were reversed, I’d probably be mad too. But this is a business. The Celtics made a decision last year to move on from me, and the Lakers gave me an opportunity to prove I’ve still got a lot to give. I’m here to win.”
Indeed, Smart’s move wasn’t entirely of his own making. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023, a move that shocked fans and teammates alike. After an injury-riddled season in Memphis, the Lakers signed him in a free agency deal that many analysts see as one of the smartest under-the-radar acquisitions of the summer.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka praised Smart’s intensity and leadership, calling him “a perfect fit for our identity.” With LeBron James nearing the end of his career and Anthony Davis needing a reliable floor general, Smart could play a crucial role in a potential title push for L.A.
But the emotional baggage of his Boston legacy still looms.
Social media has already erupted with mixed reactions. Some Celtics fans have voiced their heartbreak, while others accused Smart of betrayal. Yet, just as many have offered messages of support, thanking him for his years of service and acknowledging that the Celtics themselves moved on first.
Smart, for his part, remains respectful — but focused.
“I’ve got nothing but love for Boston,” he said. “That city made me who I am. The fans, the organization, my teammates — I’ll never forget what we built. But I’m not playing for Boston anymore. I’m a Laker now, and I’m coming to compete.”
The first showdown between the Lakers and Celtics this season is already one of the most anticipated games on the calendar. The TD Garden crowd is expected to be electric — and divided. Whether he’s cheered, booed, or both, Marcus Smart knows it’s going to be emotional.
“I’ll probably tear up a little,” he admitted. “But then the ball goes up, and it’s war.”
