Marcus Smart pens emotional farewell to Boston after trade calling the city ‘a very special place’

Marcus Smart penned a lengthy goodbye to the city of Boston after he was traded away from the Celtics earlier this week.

Smart was one of the key pieces in a deal that saw the Celtics acquire forward Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards.

In order to complete the deal, Smart was moved to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the three team trade. 

But it meant that Smart would be moving on from the Celtics – a team that drafted him sixth overall in the 2014 draft and where he played his entire career. 

‘Where do I even begin…as I start to think about the last 9 years I have a lot of emotions running thru me,’ Smart said in his Instagram post. 

Smart said that Boston is a ‘very special place’ but added he’s looking forward to next steps

In the trade that got the Celtics Kristaps Porzingis, Smart was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies

‘I came to Boston as a naïve kid from Dallas not really knowing what to expect. All I knew was the type of work ethic my momma instilled in me and I was going to work my ass off and make sure I EARNED the respect of each and every one of the fans in Boston. 

‘Which is why this was tuff. Boston, you are a very special place to me. I grew up here and met some of my best friends here. I’ll never forget my time here. 

‘Ultimately we didn’t get that 18th banner but I’m VERY VERY proud of the success we had. I’m going to miss so many things about Boston but mainly my teammates, fans, and kids and our hospital charity work.

‘It was a great 9 years Boston, thank you for all the love…but now it’s time to look forward.

‘I can’t wait to get to Memphis and get started. We have something special brewing here! Am blessed to be a part of Grizzly nation. Let’s get to work.’

Smart is projected to be a starting point guard for Memphis as troubled star Ja Morant serves a suspension for reckless use of firearms.

He won Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, earned the NBA’s Hustle Award three times, and has been named to the All-Defensive First Team three times.