Marcus Smart, a former cornerstone of the Boston Celtics, is bracing for a cold and hostile return to TD Garden—this time as a Los Angeles Laker. After dedicating nearly a decade to Boston, where he was drafted sixth overall in 2014, Smart anticipates a chorus of boos from the very fans who once cheered his relentless hustle. The defensive maestro, now donning the purple and gold of one of Boston’s fiercest rivals, isn’t shocked by the expected betrayal.
“I can definitely tell and say that I’m expecting a lot of boos, I’m expecting a lot of hate, and it’s okay—I understand it,” Smart shared candidly with Allie Clifton of Spectrum SportsNet on Tuesday.
Marcus Smart on what it’ll be like when Celtics fans see him in a Lakers uniform:
“I’m expecting a lot of boos, I’m expecting a lot of hate, and it’s okay I understand it” pic.twitter.com/gnNPyHI7EC
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 23, 2025
Smart’s journey with the Celtics was nothing short of iconic. A gritty, heart-and-soul player, he earned the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and secured three NBA All-Defensive First Team nods. His tenacity and leadership helped shape Boston’s identity during his tenure. Yet, the tides turned when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023, followed by a stint with the Washington Wizards in 2025. This offseason, Smart made waves by signing a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers, a move that has clearly stirred the emotions of Celtics fans.
Now, Smart brings his defensive prowess to a Lakers squad desperate for his intensity. Teaming up with superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic—who personally helped recruit him—Smart is poised to make a significant impact in Los Angeles. As he prepares to face his former team, the sting of anticipated fan backlash won’t deter him. Instead, it fuels his resolve to prove his worth on a new stage.
The harsh truth? Marcus Smart knows the love he once felt in Boston may now be replaced with jeers—but he’s ready to embrace the challenge and let his game do the talking.