Lakers’ Marcus Smart To Become Free Agent

After two injury-plagued seasons, Smart bet on himself last summer by negotiating a buyout with the Wizards and then signing a one-plus-one deal with the Lakers worth the bi-annual exception. That bet paid off, as Smart started 54 of his 62 games for Los Angeles, averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 28.5 minutes per game while recapturing his form as one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders.

Playing an increased role in the playoffs with Luka Doncic sidelined and Austin Reaves missing several games, Smart increased his averages to 12.9 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.4 SPG in Los Angeles’ 10 postseason contests. He started all of them.

Having reestablished his value, the 32-year-old is expected to draw significant interest in free agency. While a return to the Lakers is a possibility, multiple reports have indicated that the Rockets are preparing to make a strong push for the former Defensive Player of the Year. One of those reports suggested Houston will likely make a three-year offer.

Joining the Rockets would allow Smart to reunite with Ime Udoka, who coached him in Boston.

Smart is one of three Lakers veterans who held a 2026/27 player option, as our tracker shows. Reaves is opting out to sign a four-year, maximum-salary contract, while center Deandre Ayton will pick up his $8.1MM option.