Smart is expected to start in the backcourt alongside Desmond Bane but durability is one of the things that likely made Smart expendable in Boston’s eye.

He has played over 70 games in just three of his NBA seasons and is prone to injury at times due to his physical style.

Meshing with his new teammates may be a challenge with the limited reps he’s getting during the preseason.

Jenkins was insistent with reporters that Smart has been engaged in practices though as he tries to impact his younger teammates.

“It’s been great,” Smart told reporters at Grizzlies media day. “I’ve been talking defense in there with those guys, but you realize right away that this is a group of guys that are hungry.

They want to win and are trying to get better. They’re asking me questions; we’re laughing and joking, but we’re excited.”

Read Next:

Celtics Mailbag: 2-way standouts, Jrue Holiday off bench, trade targets

The kids certainly have been intriguing over the past couple of weeks. JD Davison has really bounced back from an ugly Summer League to look more like a point guard that could eventual develop into a rotation player as he enters his second season.

Jordan Walsh has shown some nice defensive flashes but I would bet we see more of him in Maine than with the big club all year long.

As far as long-term potential though, I’d take that duo over Brissett/Banton.

The people love to talk Queta! My instinct says the Celtics are going to keep him on a two-way to start the season even if he plays himself into a 15-man roster candidate. The team will have the option to convert him later in the year if he earns it and he will still be eligible for 50 games as a two-way player with the big club so there’s no rush to move him up. The guess here is the team keeps him active plenty on nights Al Horford gets the night off and uses him as a potential alternative to Luke Kornet in certain matchups.

I think you nailed the Sam Hauser comparison though when it comes to a contract. If the Celtics end up freeing up a roster spot or two at the trade deadline, they will have the ability to convert Queta if they want to midseason.

I’m really just interested in the top six – who’s the best starting lineup regardless of matchup, who starts for different matchups, who finishes games – I turn my brain into a pretzel trying to decide – Derrick or Al who should be on the bench. They both feel like they should be on the floor. Is there any reason Joe might want Derrick’s offense on the floor over Jrue? — Drew

It’s a fascinating debate that I’m sure is going on plenty within the Celtics front office and coaches meetings.

Logic says that it will be one of Derrick White or Al Horford coming off the bench regularly but I have the sense that Zach Lowe’s inclination that Jrue Holiday as a sixth man is a very real consideration as well.

I think finishing games is an easy choice, going small and then Mazzulla deciding between Porzingis and Horford as the lone big depending on the matchup/how the night is going.

The starting lineup choice will be watched closely though. White going to the bench seems like an easy choice if the team doesn’t want to ruffle Holiday or Horford’s feathers but it feels like anything is in play at the point.

I’ll be eager to see how the team looks this week in their preseason games if the entire squad suits up.