Marcus Smart Trade Rumors: Celtics Reportedly Seeking 1st-Round Pick for PG

The Boston Celtics are reportedly open to trading guard Marcus Smart in exchange for a first-round draft pick.

On Saturday's episode of the Woj Pod (h/t Erik Garcia Gundersen of USA Today), ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Boston would consider a deal if a team made the Celtics an offer for Smart involving a first-round pick.

Wojnarowski added that Smart's impending contract status could play a role in Boston's willingness to deal him, saying, "If they didn't have to take back a lot of money going out in the future. He's restricted this summer, you don't know what it will cost to keep him."

The 23-year-old Smart has been out of action since late January due to a hand laceration.

In 46 contests this season for the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics, Smart is averaging 10.1 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

His career-long shooting struggles have also continued, as he is hitting just 35.7 percent of his attempts from the field and 29.9 percent of his shots from downtown.

Although Smart has offensive limitations, he is a strong perimeter defender who has aided in Boston ranking second in the NBA in points allowed per game this season.

While Smart is a solid role player for the Celtics, they have no shortage of backcourt depth thanks to the likes of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin.

Boston would risk losing Smart in free agency if it doesn't want to match a potential offer sheet, which makes moving him a sensible consideration.

Since the Celtics are in position to make a run to the NBA Finals as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, however, rolling the dice and keeping a hardworking player like Smart in the fold could go a long way toward helping Boston vie for a championship.