Report: Celtics seek pick for Smart; hope to flip for Williams or Evans

The Boston Celtics reportedly desire a first-round draft pick for guard Marcus Smart, and if they managed to land one, they wouldn't want to hold onto it for too long.

If Boston secures an extra pick in exchange for Smart ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, the hope is they'd be able to then flip that pick for either Lou Williams or Tyreke Evans, league sources told The New York Post's Marc Stein.

Both Williams and Evans have been on the Celtics' radar, but the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies are seemingly holding out for a high pick or young talent in exchange.

Williams is on an expiring contract worth $7 million, and ranks 16th in the Association in scoring at 23.3 points per game.

Memphis is sitting Evans until they can find a trade for him, with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, and Oklahoma City Thunder also bidding for his services.

The Denver Nuggets are willing to make a move for Smart, and are using Emmanuel Mudiay as bait, although Boston won't pull the trigger unless a pick enters the equation.

Smart is currently sidelined after punching a picture frame, resulting in a hand laceration. He had been averaging 10.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds on just 35.7 percent shooting prior to his injury.