Report: Celtics willing to trade Marcus Smart for 1st-round pick

The Boston Celtics could part ways with Marcus Smart.

The team may be willing to trade the combo guard for a first-round pick, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on his podcast with Bobby Marks.

"I think if a team was willing to give Boston a first, Boston would look at it. And if they didn't have to take back a lot of money going out in the future," he said.

Smart, 23, is averaging 10.1 points on 35.7 percent shooting from the field and 29.9 percent from 3-point territory, to go along with 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals over 46 games this season. His $4.5-million contract expires after the season when he's set to become a restricted free agent.

The former No. 6 pick, who's currently nursing a hand injury he suffered punching a picture frame, is a fiery competitor and great defender. However, the Celtics boast more talent than they can afford to keep and Smart could be the odd man out.

"They can't pay everybody in Boston and they're going to have to make decisions going forward. But I do think it's difficult, does someone want to give a first for a player they don't know what it's going to cost to keep him?" Wojnarowski said.

"Not sure that will happen but I think certainly if they were going to make a move with one of their core guys, there's a potential there that it could be Smart."

Marks estimated Smart will fetch $8-10 million per year in free agency.

Boston has been active ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, having acquired center Greg Monroe and reportedly remaining in the hunt for Lou Williams and Tyreke Evans.