Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart expressed disappointment over how his trade from the Boston Celtics was handled despite his happiness regarding the team's 2024 championship victory.

"Great trade, business-wise, just wish they would've went about it a little differently, letting me know," Smart told reporters Saturday.

The 30-year-old added that he wished he hadn't been blindsided by the trade, as it would have allowed him more time to prepare his family for the transition.

"Like I said, business-wise, it was a great business move," Smart said. "I would have made the move and I think anybody probably would have."

Smart was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies in a three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2023-24 season. He spent nine years in Boston, where he averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.

The 11-year NBA veteran was a defensive cornerstone for the Celtics, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 after recording 18 blocks, 119 steals and 270 rebounds that season.

Selected by the Celtics with the No. 6 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Smart was thrilled to see his longtime teammates achieve championship success. In his final two years with the team, Smart and the Celtics fell to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals and to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals.

"You tip your cap off to those guys. I am very happy for them. I'm proud that they were able to go and win it," Smart said. "I've been on the court with those guys. I put the work in with those guys, so I know what they sacrificed and I'm proud to see those guys finally get what they deserve and the hard work that they put in."

Smart is set to make his return to Boston on Saturday night, with his former team eagerly anticipating the reunion.

"Thrilled. Thrilled to see Smart," former teammate Jayson Tatum told reporters. "As you all know how much he means to this city, to this franchise. Ultimate Celtic, he'll always be a Celtic for life."