Marcus Smart said he expected a trade, though he was a little surprised since he was moved by the Grizzlies to the Wizards right before the deadline.

Smart, the 30-year-old defensive-minded veteran, is expected to act as a mentor to this young Wizards team. The Grizzlies were expected to make moves in order to free up cap space for key extensions, and Smart was the casualty in this move. Speaking to Wizards reporters, Smart commented on his feelings about the trade.

The veteran acquired from Memphis wants to offer his expertise to rebuilding Washington, which fell to Atlanta, 125-111, on Saturday night.

Moreover, Smart's transition to the Wizards will require adjustments, as he adapts to a new system and teammates. Grizzlies fans have seen firsthand how these factors can affect a player's performance, and Wizards supporters should temper their expectations as Smart integrates into the lineup.

“The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Marcus Smart and a 2025 first-round pick to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team trade that sends two second-round picks to Memphis, sources tell ESPN,” Shams Charania said in a post. “Memphis creates roster flexibility with the move.”