Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) shoots in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

From Reggie to Roy: Pacers Draft Success Rooted in the “Second Ten” by Tim Donahue

It’s draft season so that mean’s it’s Indiana Pacers rumors season, and the latest has them tied to Boston Celtics Marcus Smart, according to Gary Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. Though he doesn’t say it directly, the insinuation here is that the Pacers might trade their pick for the second-year player.

A source said a potential landing spot for Boston's Marcus Smart is Indiana, which has the 11th pick. — Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) June 25, 2015

Marcus Smart started 38 games for Brad Stevens in Boston last year, averaging 7.8 points and 3.1 assists per game while shooting a miserable 36.7% from the field.

He is still young, however, and more noted for his defensive ability and hard-nosed mentality than his jumpshot.

John Wall had this to say about Smart earlier this season, via the Boston Globe.

“I think he’s good,” Wall said. “He’s one of the young guys that comes in and does it like [Celtics teammate] Avery Bradley. He comes in being a defensive-minded guy and when you show coaches you’re committed to that side of the ball first, you let your offensive game catch up and figure out the other things. But he’s doing it the right way, taking on the defensive challenges and not backing down from nobody.”

It’s unclear how Pacers fans would feel about picking up the 21-year-old Oklahoma State product, but at least one seemed less than thrilled, saying “6’3″, chubby, a sub-40% shooter from the field … We’ve finally found Jamaal Tinsley’s successor!”

Celtics president Danny Ainge is reportedly all over the phones this week.

He is ready to make the 76ers an enormous offer, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, if Jahlil Okafor falls out of the top two, and Marcus Smart’s name is attached to a deal to Philly.