Marcus Smart signs with Lakers after Wizards' buyout

The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Tuesday that veteran guard Marcus Smart has signed with the team, joining stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Smart, known for his defensive prowess, played nine seasons with the rival Boston Celtics before spending the past two years with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards.

Smart agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract with the Lakers, who signed him to bolster their supporting cast around James and Dončić. This move addresses the team's need for a strong point-of-attack defender after losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets in free agency. Smart's defensive credentials include being the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and earning three All-Defense first team selections during his time with the Celtics, where he helped the team reach the NBA Finals and made nine consecutive playoff appearances.

However, Smart has faced significant injury challenges in recent years, playing only 54 games over the past two seasons due to health issues. Last season, he averaged just 20 minutes per game when healthy and appeared in only 15 games after a midseason trade to the Wizards. Offensively, he has never averaged more than 13.1 points per game in a full season, but the Lakers value his defensive contributions to complement their high-scoring roster.

Smart is part of a series of key offseason additions for the Lakers, including center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, who was involved in the same three-team trade that brought Smart to Washington. The team aims to improve after a first-round playoff loss to Minnesota last spring, following their blockbuster acquisition of Dončić. The core remains largely intact, with backup center Jaxson Hayes re-signing, though Finney-Smith's departure created a gap Smart is expected to fill.

The signing aligns with the Lakers' championship ambitions, as LeBron James exercised his $52.6 million player option to return for a record 23rd NBA season. James' agent has emphasized the star's desire for the team to be serious title contenders in the upcoming season.