The Lakers are still maneuvering the offseason needs in their roster and the drama with their superstar players, but there’s been a latest addition to the team that will perhaps shed any negative scrutiny towards the LA franchise. According to Shams Charania, veteran guard Marcus Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, has reached a contract buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards and will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Once Smart clears waivers, he’ll ink a two-year, $11 million deal that includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, This marks a high-profile return to a major contender.
Lakers land defensive anchor in Smart
The Lakers aggresively pursued Smart, as did the Bucks and Suns, but Luka Doncic personally recruite him, expressing strong interest in his defensive prowess. Smart is expected to be waived onto the bi-annual exception, with the Lakers creating space by likely releasing Jordan Goodwin. The move provides LA with a top-tier point-of-attack perimeter defender, addressing a glaring need after the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith.
What Smart brings to the Lakers’ title push
Smart, now 31, averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 20 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season, after spending the campaign first with the Grizzlies, then with the Wizards. Although limited to just 54 games over two seasons due to injuries, he offers unmatched intensity and defensive awareness. During his nine-season run with Boston, he consistently made playoff appearances. LA now stands to gain a veteran voice who thrives in high-stakes environments.
His arrival alongside stars like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and fellow newcomer Deandre Ayton boosts both the Lakers’ on-court toughness and locker-room leadership. This strategis mid-offseason move highlights the Lakers’ urgent bid to fortify their roster. Smart’s intensity, matchup versatility, and playoff seasoning make him an ideal fit in LA’s pursuit of a deep run. As training camps and free agency unfold, Smart’s integration could prove pivotal for a team eyeing another championship.
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