Marcus Smart Joins Wizards, Young Players Eager to Learn Defensive Skills

WASHINGTON — In a crucial move ahead of the NBA playoffs, the Washington Wizards traded for Marcus Smart, former Defensive Player of the Year, from the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 19, 2025. Smart’s arrival was met with enthusiasm from young Wizards players who wasted no time seeking his guidance.

Just hours after the trade was finalized, Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington peppered Smart with questions about defensive strategies, specifically regarding their upcoming games against elite scorers like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. “He’s really good at it, really crafty at it,” Carrington explained after their first game together, a 134-124 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I definitely want to pick his brain and just make my life easier on making other guys’ lives terrible.”

Smart, who has spent a decade honing his defensive skills and was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, knows how valuable veteran leadership can be for a young team. He reflected on his rookie season with the Boston Celtics, where he learned from players like Rajon Rondo and Jameer Nelson, despite their limited time with the team. “The vets are key. They’re the ones that the young guys see when they first come in,” Smart said.

The Wizards acquired Smart as part of a larger strategy to enhance their lineup, bringing in other veterans such as Khris Middleton from the Milwaukee Bucks, who is also expected to play a significant role as a mentor for younger players. “I’m here to be a basketball player. I’m here to win games,” Middleton said during practices with his new team. “But I want Wizards fans to know that I’m not here just to be a mentor.”

Both Smart and Middleton participated fully in the Wizards’ practice on Wednesday night, marking a new chapter for the team. Coach Brian Keefe has yet to confirm if the players will participate in the upcoming game against the Bucks, adding to the team’s anticipation as they prepare for their next matchups.

Players like Jordan Poole have already noted the shift from rival to teammate. Poole expressed his eagerness to learn from Smart, stating, “I’ve had my fair share of Marcus guarding me on the other side…It’s pretty cool to have him on our team.” He outlined the broader impact Smart could have on their development, helping not just him, but fellow young players like Coulibaly and Kyshawn George as well.

Smart’s experience playing in high-stakes scenarios, including the NBA Finals in 2022, is expected to benefit the Wizards greatly. While improvement in team performance may take time, his presence is likely to foster growth in the organization’s younger core.

As the season progresses, the key storyline for the Wizards will be how effectively they can integrate these veterans into their roster while leveraging their experience to enhance the performance of younger players.