Celtics Draft Pick Profile: Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is a 6-4, 225-pound point guard out of Oklahoma State who is likely to take over for Rajon Rondo as the next Celtics floor leader in the next year.

Yes, Smart's arrival in Boston probably means the end for Rondo unless Danny Ainge is planning on using his assets (like Smart) in an effort to land Kevin Love (or another impact player) in a trade to get Rondo to re-sign with the Celtics.

Smart is a very good prospect for the Celtics.  While he needs to develop a consistent perimeter shot - he was a 41% shooter from the field in his two seasons of college basketball but only shot 29.5% from 3-point range in his career at Oklahoma State - Smart is a strong defender and can get to the basket and finish around the rim.

I believe Smart and Rondo could co-exist in the backcourt but that would be based off a significant improvement in Smart's outside shot.  Rondo has proven he can get by with an inconsistent jump shot but no NBA team can survive with two guards that can't consistently knock down jump shots.  By the time he gets to the point that he can make that shot, Rondo might already be elsewhere.

As for a comparison, Smart reminds me of a more athletic Chauncey Billups.  He's a big, strong guard who is capable of getting to the basket, can defend either backcourt position, and is a 3-point shot away from becoming a prime time player in the NBA.  Billups developed that shot on the way to leading the 2004 Pistons to the NBA title and a possible home in the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Smart's future will also depend on that jump shot.  If he can become a consistent threat from the outside, he should become a terrific NBA point guard.  If not, he's destined to be a role player based on his defense and ability to score at the basket.