As he tried to convey his friendly personality and eagerness to become great, Marcus Smart confronted a few never-ending questions.
They had little to do with his playmaking, how he will improve his shot or how he uses his bulky physique to his advantage. When Smart met with teams two weeks ago at the NBA pre-draft combine in Chicago, including the Lakers, the Oklahoma State sophomore guard also encountered recollections of a few incidents he preferred to forget.
Amid a frustrating shooting performance in January against West Virginia, Smart kicked a chair on the sideline. A month later against Texas A&M, Smart pushed prominent Texas Tech booster Jeff Orr and accused him afterward of yelling a racial slur. Orr denied the charge and Smart faced a three-game suspension.
“They came up in every interview and will come up in every interview from here on out,” Smart said. “I understand why they’re asking me about the incident and everything. These teams spend millions and millions of dollars on somebody. They want to know what they’re getting.”
Smart will find out during the NBA draft on June 26 whether teams consider him a hot stock or a toxic asset. After completing workouts with the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Smart plans to work out with the Lakers on Wednesday before later showcasing himself to the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
NBA draft experts peg him to fall behind the nearly consensus top three of Kansas’ Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins and Duke’s Jabari Parker. Various league sources believe those three players skipped the NBA pre-draft combine because of uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s back injury and that both Wiggins and Parker have already cemented their draft status. Though Smart was also advised to sit out of the various shooting, jumping, sprinting and defensive drills, he still attended the event namely for the interview process. Then, Smart said he spoke openly about his past transgressions and tried providing assurances not to worry about them.
“I told them that’s something that happened that’s in the past,” Smart said. “I’m not proud of it. But I’m trying to move on from that. I got bigger and better things I’m looking forward to in my life. If I’m too busy looking in the past, how can I see what’s in front of me with the future?”
Smart’s future could wind up with the Lakers, who have the seventh pick in the NBA draft.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has said, “We need to fill every position, really,” mindful that only Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and backup center Robert Sacre remain under contract. Aware that Nash played only 15 games last season amid persisting nerve irritation in his back, the Lakers may look to upgrade at point guard so Nash could play as a reserve and mentor with limited minutes. The Lakers could also waive Nash via the amnesty provision by Aug. 31, but they will likely keep him since his $9.8 million salary would be removed from the books in one season as opposed to three.
Meanwhile, Smart reported the Lakers sounding “very interested” during his pre-draft combine interview.
“They’re looking for a point guard and somebody who can come in and man that team and take control,” Smart said. “That’s the type of person I am. I’m a leader and I feel like it would be a perfect fit.”
Various NBA experts sound mixed with that thinking.
Ryan Blake, the Director of NBA Scouting Operations, and NBA TV analyst Steve Smith equally gushed about Smart’s combine measurements in height (6-foot-2) and weight (227 pounds) enabling him to adapt to the more physical NBA. Smart likens his physique to bruising NBA guards Deron Williams, Derrick Rose and James Harden.
But Smith argued the Lakers are better off filling more urgent needs in adding interior defenders, such as Indiana freshman forward Noah Vonleh, Arizona freshman forward Aaron Gordon or Kentucky freshman forward Julius Randle, presuming either three are available.
“I love Marcus Smart and I think he’s a tremendous talent,” Smith said. “But I just think a kid drafted that high in the Lakers’ position should get a chance to play right away.”
Blake also expressed concern about Smart’s marksmanship after shooting only 30 percent from 3-point range through two seasons with Oklahoma State. But with Smart averaging 18 points and four assists last season, Blake believes his playmaking could translate quicker in the NBA than Dante Exum, the Australian prospect who’s expected to be drafted fourth after attracting buzz at the Nike Hoops Summit.
“He finds angles and muscles his way into traffic,” Blake said. “Once he gets into traffic, he knows how to hold himself and finish. He’s a super competitor and he’s a fighter on both ends of the floor.”
Yet, Smart maintains such aggression will not carry over off the court.
He reported receiving positive feedback from Portland guard Damian Lillard on using his shoving incident as a learning experience to handle his frustrations. Though Smart may have fallen in the draft by staying another year because of the class’ talent, he maintains the extra year enhanced his maturity level. And he sounds open toward playing either at point guard or shooting guard, depending on what teams need.
More importantly, Smart believes he has now gained the necessary leadership qualities to provide a comforting presence on a team instead of a distracting one.
“I feel like I’m one of the best point guards in the class,” Smart said. “They’re going to get an unbelievable competitor. You can never question how tough I’m going to play. You’re going to get a leader and somebody who will come in, make plays and do whatever is needed to do to get that player better.
“I’m going to be very comfortable playing with veteran guys who have been there and know the ropes. I’m there to learn and implement the things they teach me to my game.”
