And despite some of the reported interest from the Celtics side, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Smart signed with, the Phoenix Suns, and the Milwaukee Bucks were the three teams that seriously pursued him. He didn't add the Celtics, which is a telling sign of where their interest stood.

Perhaps the claims that incoming Lakers guard Marcus Smart has declined, especially on defense, have been greatly exaggerated.

The Boston Celtics never held serious talks with Marcus Smart leading up to his buyout with the Washington Wizards according to an insider.