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Rich Gotham: Celtics 'Have Not Discussed Trading Marcus Smart'

BOSTON (CBS) -- As the NBA Draft drew closer, rumors began to swirl about the Celtics trying to acquire the third overall pick from the Philadelphia 76ers.

It was rumored that part of Boston's package to Philadelphia was point guard Marcus Smart, the sixth overall pick in last year's NBA Draft.

But Celtics president Rich Gotham said that was never the case just moments before the draft got underway.

"We have not discussed trading Marcus Smart," Gotham told 98.5 The Sports Hub's The Adam Jones Show at the Celtics draft party in Boston. "Anyone is free to ask us about a player, and that's often what happens. What is recorded in the media is often different from what happens."

While Gotham was quick to point out that anything can happen, it appears that Marcus Smart will still be a member of the Celtics after draft night.

"We traded Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett; things can happen. But that's different from us saying we have the intent to do something," said Gotham. "Marcus is a big part of our future and our foundation; that intent is not there."

We'll see if anything changes between now and that third selection.

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