Report: Ainge, Smart's agent discussing 4-year, $46M-$50M deal

The waiting game between the Boston Celtics and their sixth man may be finally coming to an end.

Marcus Smart's agent, Happy Walters, is "seriously engaged" in talks with general manager Danny Ainge for a new four-year contract in the range of $46 million to $50 million, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

If he does indeed return to Boston, it will come after Smart's reported frustration that a deal wasn't done earlier in free agency, as well as apparent interest from the Sacramento Kings on signing him to an offer sheet.

For a restricted free-agent market that has moved glacially slow and forced many players to think about signing qualifying offers, agreeing to a deal that could pay the 24-year-old in the $12.5-million range per season has to be considered a win for his camp.

Providing excellent on-ball defense and leadership on the floor, Smart also averaged 10.2 points and 4.8 assists per game this season.