Marcus Smart accepts a $ 52 million four-year contract with Celtics

Restricted free agent Marcus Smart signed a $ 52 million four-year deal with the Boston Celtics, Yahoo Sports told league sources.

After a controversial start to negotiations, Happy Walters, Smart's agent and the Celtics' brbad have made significant progress in recent days to make sure Smart remains in Boston. Smart and Walters met with the Celtics front office and property Thursday in Boston to finalize the deal, according to league sources.

For Smart, the new deal represents more than the range of its extension negotiations before the 2017-18 season (four-year, $ 50 million)

Smart, 24-year-old, s & # 39; is established in the heart and culture of the Celtics, serving as tenacious defender, team voice and productive player. Smart met several teams, including the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies, at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, but also had a private meeting with Celtics general manager Danny Ainge last week

. Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier, the Celtics understood the importance of bringing Smart back on a long-term extension, and the guard remained loyal and communicative with head coach Brad Stevens and his teammates.

In 54 games last season, Smart averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 badists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He missed time during the season due to an injury to his right hand after hitting a glbad frame, then suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb in mid-March while diving. for a loose ball. Smart underwent surgery on his right thumb, but returned to the first round of the playoffs.

For Boston, the resilience and endurance of Smart have permeated the franchise. In 15 playoff games, he averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 badists and 3.7 rebounds in almost 30 minutes per game.

Smart was Boston's sixth pick at the 2014 NBA Draft in the state of Oklahoma

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