Lakers Secure Marcus Smart with $11 Million Deal

The Los Angeles Lakers officially welcomed NBA veteran point guard Marcus Smart on Tuesday, shortly after reports surfaced about his buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards.

While the Lakers have not disclosed the financial details, it’s widely reported that the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year inked a two-year, $11 million contract with Los Angeles following the waiver process.

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations and GM, stated that Smart’s arrival is a significant boost for the team. He emphasized Smart’s proven track record in playoff competition and his potential as a crucial leadership figure.

“Acquiring a player of Marcus Smart’s caliber enhances our ability to contend at the highest level,” Pelinka commented.

“Marcus embodies the essence of prioritizing victory, demonstrating this through impactful defensive plays and clutch shots during critical moments of intense games.

“His comprehension of playoff dynamics and his leadership qualities will be invaluable to our team. Surrounding our key players with versatile talents like Marcus is integral to our strategic vision for gameplay and success in the upcoming season. This acquisition is definitely exciting.”

During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Marcus Smart gave credit to Lakers star Luka Doncic for influencing his decision to join Los Angeles.

“When a player like Luka reaches out… to check in and see if you’re interested in joining something special that he’s building here,” Smart explained.

“His expression of needing my assistance meant a great deal to me.”

Prior to the 2023-24 season, Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and participated in 19 games before being traded to the Wizards in February, where he played 15 games. He averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 assists.

He initially rose to prominence during his time with Boston, where he played for nine NBA seasons, consistently helping the Celtics reach the postseason.

Smart received the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2021-22 season.

Throughout his 635 career games with the Celtics (2014-23), Grizzlies (2023-25), and Wizards, Smart has achieved averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.