With Kemba Walker leaving the offseason, Smart is expected to split the Celtics. starting backcourt duties with rookie Dennis Schroeder. Smart dialing career last season on points (13.1), assists (5.7) and minutes per game (32.9) in 48 competitions, including 45 starts.
Smart is also one of the best defenders in the NBA, with an average of 1.3 steals per game in each of his first seven pro seasons and an average of 1.6 steals per competition in 449 career games. The 27-year-old finished third in the league in interceptions during the 2018-2019 campaign with 143 goals and won NBA Hustle Award in the same year.
In addition, Smart is a two-time NBA first-team defender, gaining recognition in 2019 and 2020.
The Celtics will open their 2021-2022 regular season against Walker and the Knicks at 7:30 pm ET Wednesday.