Career Timeline of Marcus Smart: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Marcus Smart built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Marcus Smart is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He's renowned for his exceptional and versatile defensive skills, earning three NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. In 2022, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, distinguishing himself as only the second point guard in history, after Gary Payton, to achieve this honor. Smart's collegiate career was spent playing basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2010: Celtics' Last NBA Finals Appearance

In 2010 was the Celtics' last NBA Finals appearance until Marcus Smart advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in May 2022.

2012: FIBA Americas U18 Championships Record

In 2012, Marcus Smart set a new Team USA U18 record for steals with 18 during the FIBA Americas U18 Championships in Brazil.

April 17, 2013: Smart Returns to OSU

On April 17, 2013, Marcus Smart announced he would return to OSU for his sophomore season, forgoing the NBA draft.

November 19, 2013: Smart Scores 39 Points

On November 19, 2013, Marcus Smart scored 39 points leading the #7-seed Oklahoma State Cowboys past the #11-seed Memphis.

April 7, 2014: Declared for the NBA Draft

On April 7, 2014, Marcus Smart declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

On June 26, 2014, Marcus Smart was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

2014: Drafted into the NBA

In 2014, Marcus Smart was drafted into the NBA as the sixth overall pick.

March 18, 2015: Season-High 25 Points

On March 18, 2015, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 25 points in a 122–118 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

January 15, 2016: First Career Triple-Double

On January 15, 2016, Marcus Smart recorded his first career triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 117–103 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

November 9, 2016: Season-High 20 Points

On November 9, 2016, Marcus Smart scored a then season-high 20 points in a 118–93 loss to the Washington Wizards.

January 7, 2017: Season-High 22 Points

On January 7, 2017, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 22 points in a 117–108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

November 27, 2017: Season-High 23 Points

On November 27, 2017, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 23 points in a 118–108 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

June 29, 2018: Qualifying Offer from the Celtics

On June 29, 2018, the Celtics tendered a qualifying offer to make Marcus Smart a restricted free agent.

2018: Starting Point Guard for the Celtics

In 2018, Marcus Smart became the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics.

January 18, 2020: Career-High 37 Points

On January 18, 2020, Marcus Smart scored a career-high 37 points in a 123–119 loss to the Phoenix Suns, breaking the Celtics record for three pointers in a single game.

August 16, 2021: Re-signed with the Celtics

On August 16, 2021, Marcus Smart re-signed with the Celtics to a four-year, $77 million contract extension.

2021: Named Celtics' starting point guard

In 2021, Marcus Smart was named the Celtics' starting point guard.

2021: NBA All-Defensive First Team

In 2021, Marcus Smart was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He received more first-place votes than any other NBA player.

February 2022: Longest-Tenured Celtic

As of February 2022, Marcus Smart was the longest-tenured member of the Celtics' team.

April 18, 2022: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

On April 18, 2022, Marcus Smart was named the 2021–22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton in 1996.

May 19, 2022: Playoff Career-High Assists

On May 19, 2022, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Marcus Smart recorded a playoff career-high 12 assists along with 24 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in a 127–102 victory over the Miami Heat.

2022: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2022, Marcus Smart helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals.

2022: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2022, Marcus Smart was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He is the second point guard after Gary Payton to receive the honor.

June 22, 2023: Traded to the Memphis Grizzlies

On June 22, 2023, Marcus Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal.

October 25, 2023: Grizzlies Debut

On October 25, 2023, Marcus Smart made his Grizzlies debut, putting up 17 points, three assists, and two steals in a 111–104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

2023: NBA Playoffs Performance

During the 2023 NBA playoffs, Marcus Smart averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

2024: Top-Four-Protected First-Round Pick to Celtics

As part of the June 22, 2023 trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Grizzlies sent a top-four-protected 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors) to the Celtics.