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Luka Doncic Report Emerges After Marcus Smart News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 7:01 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason determined to retool their roster following a first-round playoff exit that exposed key weaknesses on both ends of the floor. With pressure mounting to maximize the championship window around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the front office moved quickly to reshape the team’s core. Their first major move came with the signing of Deandre Ayton, who joined on a two-year deal worth $16.2 million.

On Saturday, the Lakers followed up with another significant addition: former Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania , Smart agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with Los Angeles once he clears waivers. The deal includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, giving Smart flexibility ahead of what is expected to be a more active free agency period in 2026.

According to Charania, Luka Doncic played a direct role in the acquisition. The report revealed that the All-NBA guard personally reached out to Smart and helped recruit him to Los Angeles.

“Lakers All-NBA star Luka Doncic reached out to Smart and made it clear that he wanted to play with the two-way stalwart,” Charania wrote.

The Lakers had prioritized a point-of-attack defender this summer, and Smart, a three-time All-Defensive First Team selection, fit that need perfectly.

Smart, a three-time All-Defense first team guard, will have a player option on his new Lakers deal to enter a more flush 2026 free agency, sources said. Point of attack defender was a position of need for L.A. as well -- with Luka Doncic recruiting and reaching out to Smart. https://t.co/POZfSea5sU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025

Smart brings toughness and elite defensive ability to a Lakers team that struggled on the perimeter last season. His presence allows Doncic to conserve energy defensively and operate more freely as a scorer and playmaker.

Together with Ayton anchoring the paint, Smart’s arrival further strengthens a Lakers unit aiming for a deeper postseason run in 2026.

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

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