Marcus Smart is heading west after finalizing a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards. The veteran guard will ink a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Lakers Beat Out Rivals in Smart Sweepstakes
Smart drew interest from several contenders, with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns also in the mix. Interestingly, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks reportedly pushed for the Lakers to pursue Smart, praising his defensive skills as exactly what the team needs.
From Celtic Green to Grind City and Beyond
The 31-year-old guard brings impressive credentials, having claimed NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors during the 2021-22 campaign. Injuries have been a concern lately – Smart managed just 54 games across the last two seasons. His NBA journey began with eight seasons in Boston before stops with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington.
This past season, Smart put up modest numbers: 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 rebounds while seeing his lowest minutes total at 20 per game.
Purple and Gold Championship Push
Smart joins a Lakers team that went 50-32 last season, good enough for third place in the brutal Western Conference. Their playoff run ended abruptly with a first-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The addition fits perfectly with LA’s win-now mentality, especially with LeBron James still performing at an elite level alongside Anthony Davis.
While the New York Knicks had kept tabs on Smart’s situation post-buyout, the Lakers managed to close the deal and add another defensive-minded piece to their championship puzzle.
