The Lakers got the defensive-minded player they wanted—all without making a trade. LA will sign 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million contract following a buyout from the Washington Wizards.
Lakers to Sign Former DPOY in Offseason Twist
What Smart Brings to the Lakers
A three-time All-Defensive First Team selection, Marcus Smart is a versatile 3-and-D guard who fills the point-of-attack role the Lakers have prioritized this summer. Drafted sixth overall in 2014, Smart has averaged 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game on .388/.324/.776 splits.
After a nine-year career with the Celtics, who made the postseason every year Smart was there, the 31-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards. While he has dealt with numerous injuries in that span, Smart elevates the Lakers’ defense and adds significant depth to their guard rotation behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He’s also a solid jump shooter and playmaker, and thus could jolt the Lakers bench with a reliable offensive output.
Speaking of Doncic, he reportedly recruited Smart and sold him on the idea of joining the purple and gold, a sign of positive things to come in the next couple seasons.
The Lakers have been hopeful Marcus Smart would be available to them as the team tries to beef up its point of attack defense. Health will be a question, but he possesses a physicality on the perimeter the team needs
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 19, 2025
Lakers Roster Could See More Moves
Smart will most likely be the final signing for the Lakers in free agency, who will fill all guaranteed roster spots once the move is official. The team still has to decide on guard Shake Milton’s nonguaranteed contract by Sunday, followed by Jordan Goodwin’s partially-guaranteed team option (which becomes fully guaranteed in January). As a result of their respective statuses, HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto advised fans to monitor them as “cut candidates.” Alternatively, ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin has hinted at a possible “consolidation trade” being in the works.
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