“It was about time to care less about risks:” The risky maneuver that clicked open new possibilities for Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics.
The wedding arrangements had been finalized months ahead of time, well before the Boston Celtics made a comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, only to stumble in Game 7 on their home court. It was even before the disappointment of falling short in another season that had the team reflecting on its 18th NBA championship aspirations. The notion of trading Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year and the heart of the team, wasn’t even on the table at that point.
When Marcus Smart and his fiancée Maisa Hallum selected September 16 as their wedding date at the luxurious Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California, the plan was to celebrate with family, friends, and members of the Celtics organization who had been part of Smart’s journey since being drafted sixth overall in 2014.
The setting, overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a bluff, was breathtaking. The venue featured manicured lawns, white flowers lining the aisle, and an elegant gazebo. The resort accommodated guests in villas and bungalows, with a pool reminiscent of the Coliseum in Rome. Every aspect of the location exuded grandeur.
However, as the RSVPs rolled in, the entire landscape had changed. Boston had struggled throughout the seven-game series with the Heat, unable to counter Miami’s strategic defense and impressive 3-point shooting. Smart wasn’t the source of Boston’s problems, but the need for a big man with floor-spacing capabilities had become imperative.
Thus, what was meant to mark the beginning of Smart’s married life became the poignant conclusion of the Marcus Smart Era with the Celtics.
“Right before the season started, it felt like saying goodbye,” expressed Celtics star Jayson Tatum about the lavish wedding. “It was really tough. Jaylen [Brown], Smart, and I had been through four Conference Finals and one Finals together. It felt like the band was breaking up.”
Despite the altered dynamics, Tatum, Brown, and Grant Williams attended the wedding. Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, head coach Joe Mazzulla, and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens also made appearances, capturing memorable moments in the photo booth.
Photographs from the event, published by People Magazine, quickly went viral, stirring emotions among Boston fans still reeling from the unexpected three-team trade on June 23 that sent Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for center Kristaps Porzingis. The trade was perceived as a cold, analytics-driven decision by the increasingly analytics-focused franchise.
While Porzingis had an impressive 39% 3-point shooting record with the Washington Wizards, his overall performance didn’t entirely dispel long-standing doubts. Conversely, Smart had spent the past decade establishing himself as the Celtics’ locker-room leader and defensive cornerstone, making the trade a bold, calculated move by Stevens and the Celtics.
Twenty-five days post their playoff defeat, the Celtics, facing perennial questions about breaking up their wing tandem, made a decisive shift away from a player they believed they needed toward one they hadn’t fully recognized.
Stevens acknowledged the risk, stating, “If we’re not trying to improve, we’ll stop being good,” echoing assistant coach Jay Laranaga’s perspective.
The subsequent fit with Porzingis exceeded expectations early on, prompting Tatum to draw parallels between Porzingis’ role with the Celtics and Pau Gasol’s collaboration with Kobe Bryant that led the Lakers to championships in 2009 and 2010.
As the Celtics, boasting the best record in the NBA at 37-11, prepare for a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers, Porzingis has proven to be a crucial asset. His performance aligns with advanced metrics, showcasing the most efficient season of his career.
The transformation in Porzingis began earnestly in the summer of 2022 after his tumultuous tenure in Dallas. Traded to the Washington Wizards, he returned to Latvia and enlisted the help of friend and former national team guard Zanis Peiners for training.
Peiners, though inexperienced as a coach, delved into analytics to enhance Porzingis’ strengths. The focus on simplified post-ups and efficient pick-and-pop plays has resulted in remarkable improvements, contributing to the Celtics’ success this season.
Porzingis, recognizing the Celtics’ significant investment in him, is determined to fulfill their championship aspirations. His journey, marked by ups and downs, has positioned him to make a meaningful impact during the crucial stretch run.
Stevens, witnessing Porzingis’ growth firsthand nearly a year ago, acknowledges the impact he has made on the team. The Celtics’ gamble on Porzingis, made with the intention of securing a championship, appears to be paying off, providing the team with the versatility needed to counter various defensive strategies.
While Smart’s departure was emotional for both the player and fans, the Celtics’ decision to trade for Porzingis is a calculated move aimed at achieving postseason success. The outcome of this gamble, however, remains uncertain, with the true test awaiting the team in the postseason.
