The Washington Wizards made multiple moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline as the team gears up towards the future.
Of the many trades that general manager Will Dawkins pulled off before the 3 PM buzzer on the February 6th deadline, Washington found themselves acquiring multiple longtime veterans that can add experience and a new voice to mentor the team's young core.
One player in specific the team brought in has quickly become a favorite for the Wizards' young guards who desperately hope to develop their game on the defensive side of the court.
Wizards young guards picking Marcus Smart's brain
Marcus Smart is one of the Wizards newly acquired veterans and since joining the team, it has taken him no time to take the team's young guards under his wing.
Between Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington, each guard has the unique skillset to thrive on the defensive end, and lucky for them, that's an area where Smart made his bread and butter throughout his time in the league and mostly as the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics.
Carrington in specific has went on record to acknowledge his eagerness to learn from the Wizards newest addition:
"Myself and the Wizards want me to really solidify myself on the defensive end, and (with Marcus) that's someone who has solidified himself on the defensive end since he walked in the league. He's really good at it, really crafty at it. So I definitely, from day one, just want to pick his brain and just make my life easier on making other guys' lives terrible."Bub Carrington
In addition to the Wizards young players who want to learn, Smart is willing to teach and that alone shows why Will Dawkins was more than comfortable taking in the Oklahoma State product's contract at the deadline when the Memphis Grizzlies were willing to attach draft compensation to move off of him.
"I think this league has lost those type of guys. I think there (are) not as many left like that, and those guys are big. The vets are key. The vets, they're the ones that the young guys see when they first come in. So I think having vets like me who love to teach, who love to see guys get better, is definitely important."Marcus Smart
Josh Robbins of The Athletic did a great job breaking down how important the addition of Smart will be.
For Wizards fans who hope to see better days in the future, acquiring vets like this who are willing to help develop young players is a step in the right direction.