The Marcus Smart-in-Lakers-yellow storyline has been a strange sight for Celtics fans all season. But that reunion might not last much longer. With the trade deadline creeping closer and contenders looking to load up, Smart’s name is back in the rumor mill-and this time, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly circling.
Let’s set the stage: Milwaukee is in a precarious spot right now. The Bucks have dropped seven of their last ten games, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined by a calf injury, they’re barely hanging onto the 10th seed in the East.
That’s play-in territory, not the contender tier this franchise is used to. And when your franchise cornerstone is watching from the bench while the team slides, the pressure to act-and act boldly-ratchets up fast.
That’s where Marcus Smart comes in.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Bucks have expressed trade interest in Smart, along with a handful of other names like Zach LaVine, Jerami Grant, and Andrew Wiggins. One rival GM even told Fischer that Milwaukee seems to be “big-game hunting.” That’s a strong statement for a team with limited draft capital and a top-heavy roster.
Let’s be clear: landing a superstar like Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, or James Harden would require some serious maneuvering. Milwaukee’s pick situation isn’t exactly flexible-rival teams have swap rights in the next three drafts, and three of the next four years are already spoken for. If the Bucks want to swing for the fences, they’ll need to get creative or take on serious risk.
That’s why Smart feels like the more realistic target. He’s not a splashy name like the others, but he brings exactly what the Bucks are missing right now-defensive toughness, veteran leadership, and playoff experience.
Even while battling injuries this season, Smart has managed to average 10.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals in 16 games. He’s the kind of guard who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, and he can slot into a variety of lineups, especially next to a high-usage star like Giannis.
But here’s the twist: Smart’s still wearing purple and gold, and the Lakers are rolling. They’re 18-7 and sitting third in the West.
LeBron James is still doing LeBron things in what could be his final push for another title, and L.A. looks like a team more interested in adding than subtracting. So if Smart is moved, it’ll likely be part of a bigger chess move-either to bring in a more dynamic piece or to stack assets for a future deal.
For Milwaukee, the urgency is real. Giannis has made his loyalty clear in the past, but loyalty has its limits when the team around you is floundering. If the Bucks can’t right the ship soon, the pressure from inside and out could force their hand-either to make a bold trade or to face the unthinkable: a future without their two-time MVP.
For now, though, they’re still swinging. And Marcus Smart, the defensive bulldog with playoff scars and a chip on his shoulder, might be exactly the kind of player who helps Milwaukee stabilize the ship-if they can pry him loose.