Marcus Smart joins Lakers after buyout from Washington Wizards

LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves are the big three for the Los Angeles Lakers, but a marquee defensive member is joining the squad.

Marcus Smart, 31, agreed to a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards to join the Lakers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news as the three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team and 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year wants to assist the Lakers to a championship. The former player for the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies spent 15 games last season in Washington. He averaged nine points per game for the Wizards. Smart averaged double figures in scoring in seven years of his career, including six seasons in Boston. Smart totaled a career-high 14.5 points a game in 2023-24 with the Grizzlies.