Lakers' Marcus Smart Expects 'Hate' When Facing Celtics

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 3:51 PM ET

Marcus Smart very nearly signed on to join the Phoenix Suns following the buyout agreement he received from the Wizards, but credited the efforts of Lakers star Luka Doncic with convincing him to instead land with the Lakers. He might not get the same level of playing time in L.A., but Smart will be joining a team that counts itself among the league's contenders.

Smart signed a two-year deal beginning at the league's biannual exception, meaning he is slated to make $11 million total. And while he bounced through the Grizzlies' and Wizards' organizations in the past two years, Smart is best known for his time with the Celtics, who made him the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft and with whom he won the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Given that history, Smart recognizes his fit with the Lakers--Boston's historical archrival--comes with some awkwardness.

Smart was asked about the reception he will get in Boston given the fact that he signed on with the Lakers, of all teams. "I can try to anticipate, I have no idea," he said. "But I can definitely tell and say that, I am expecting a lot of boos, I'm expecting a lot of hate, and it's okay, I understand it.”

Marcus Smart Was Dumped by the Celtics

Certainly, Smart is aware of the teams' long-standing history. But the fact is, Celtics fans are unlikely to hold a grudge against Smart given the fact that it was Boston which dumped Smart in a trade to the Grizzlies in 2023. That trade brought the Celtics Kristaps Porzingis, and cleared the way for the Jrue Holiday trade.

Those deals led Boston to the 2024 NBA championship.

The fact that he signed on with the Lakers can hardly be made out to be his fault. He did not want to leave Boston in the first place, so even though he'll be in purple-and-gold, it's unlikely Celtics fans will pelt him with boos.

Smart said he expected the Lakers to be a contender this season, and he hopes a return to health (he played just 95 games in the last two years) on his part can contribute to that. It was also noted that, when he was drafted at No. 6, the Lakers held the No. 7 pick and might very well have chosen him if not for the Celtics.

"I'm very motivated," Smart said. "The last two years for me was, in my eyes, a disappointment. Injuries kind of stopped me and held me back. But, like I told my wife and my family, everything happens for a reason. And it's funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here and now it's full circle and I'm here."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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