Report: Marcus Smart Joins LA Lakers After Washington Wizards Buyout

Marcus Smart has signed with the LA Lakers after securing a buyout from the Washington Wizards.

Report: Marcus Smart Joins LA Lakers After Washington Wizards Buyout

Marcus Smart with the Grizzlies (FS Image)

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For nine years in Boston, Marcus Smart was the darling of one of the biggest fanbases in the NBA. The No. 6 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft was so impactful even as a rookie on defense that he was able to shepherd the Celtics back to the playoffs after only one year of not making it while tanking. His tenacity and bulldog spirit endeared him to fans. But there was an element to his game that was very volatile.

Marcus Smart proved to be a double-edged sword for Boston in many ways. His energy was contagious and his ability to switch and guard multiple positions was second to none. He also was, on his day, a very capable distributor, and had hot shooting games every once in a while. But he was also a turnover-prone guard with many inconsistent offensive performances over the years while wearing the Celtics green.

His volatility, as well as his propensity to be abrasive with teammates at times, proved to be his undoing. After the Celtics lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023, the writing was on the wall. GM and former head coach Brad Stevens found Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday available on the trade market, and he used Robert Williams, Smart and Malcolm Brogdon to land these pieces who would start on their 2023-24 championship roster.

Smart was initially traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he had a good first season. But he tailed off in his second season after Ja Morant came back, unable to generate consistent offense. He was traded by Memphis to the Washington Wizards at the deadline, where he saw the season out. A player with his DPOY pedigree and intensity would always be sought by front offices looking to add a defensive presence.

The Lakers needed a point of attack defender, as was apparent from their playoff exit this year. They are trying to solve this problem by adding Smart to their roster. This seems to be a really good move by GM Rob Pelinka, who has been under pressure from LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul to get the roster more help. Smart has the ability to change the Lakers’ defensive outlook and can be their Swiss Army knife.

How would Marcus Smart fit onto the 2025-26 Lakers?

Smart can be a secondary ballhandler for the Lakers’ starting lineup. He fits well alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and can provide defensive cover for both the guards. Doncic would likely become a forward on the defensive end while still being the team’s de facto playmaker.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic
LeBron James and Luka Doncic (Image via FirstSportz)

Given how they are currently structured with their offseason additions, the Lakers’ starting lineup looks much younger and more energetic than it did in the past few seasons. Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton will slot in alongside LeBron James, Doncic and Reaves to round out a lineup that is capable of being a two-way monster on its best days.

The likes of Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin also present tough defensive options for head coach JJ Redick. This roster looks more complete than the team that looked listless on both ends against the Timberwolves in the playoff fourth quarters this year. Marcus Smart is also capable of galvanizing them to higher energy levels, as he has proven in the past.

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