Marcus Smart Joins Lakers: Can This Veteran Guard Unlock a Championship Trio with Luka Dončić and LeBron James?

At 6-foot-4 and a sturdy 220 pounds, Smart has historically been able to guard most players, ranging from small point guards to former All-Star power forward Paul Millsap. While that level of defensive fluidity is probably only a memory, his defensive IQ hasn’t gone anywhere, and Smart is likely to inject a hefty portion of defensive know-how to the Lakers.
Here’s a surprising move shaking up the Lakers’ roster dynamics: Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year and known for his tenacious defense, is poised to ink a two-year, million contract with Los Angeles. At 31, Smart’s reputation was forged over nine gritty seasons with the Celtics, where his physicality on the court made him a defensive stalwart. After a rocky period with Memphis and a midseason trade to Washington, the Wizards have agreed to a buyout, freeing Smart to bring his veteran savvy to a Lakers squad desperately in need of defensive reinforcement. Though injuries have slowed his game, Smart’s defensive intelligence remains sharp, promising to bolster Los Angeles’ backcourt pressure. For a team eager to tighten up its perimeter defense, this acquisition couldn’t come at a better time.

AdvertisementSmart isn’t the player he once was. He’s lost a step, and injuries have ravaged his availability in recent years. However, assuming Smart is asked to play a complementary role and not feature as a high-minute starter, there’s a good chance he’ll prove enormously helpful to a Lakers team that needs point-of-attack defense.In a twist that will bring smiles to the faces of Lakers fans, former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart plans to sign a two-year, million deal with Los Angeles, bringing depth to a Lakers team that needs it.

In a twist that will bring smiles to the faces of Lakers fans, former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart plans to sign a two-year, million deal with Los Angeles, bringing depth to a Lakers team that needs it.

In a twist that will bring smiles to the faces of Lakers fans, former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart plans to sign a two-year, million deal with Los Angeles, bringing depth to a Lakers team that needs it.

A Smart buyout is a loss for Washington

The fit with Luka Dončić and LeBron James should mesh well defensively, as Smart can rotate onto the best opposing perimeter player. Offensively, there will be questions as to whether or not Dončić will have enough spacing around him, should he see a significant chunk of his minutes with Smart on the floor.The Wizards have a small army of young players, and Smart would have been a strong mentor to have around for this season, especially to give defensive pointers to Bub Carrington and rookie Tre Johnson.Advertisement