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Marcus Smart Plans To Sign With Lakers After Getting Bought Out By Wizards

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 5:42 PM ET

Marcus Smart plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after getting bought out by the Washington Wizards, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Luka Doncic recruited Smart to the Lakers.

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 played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Wizards last season. He averaged 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 34 games while shooting 39.3% from the floor, 34.8% from beyond the arc and 76.1% from the free-throw line.

The 31-year-old Smart has played for the Boston Celtics, Grizzlies and Wizards. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year with Boston has career averages of 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Smart was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 108 postseason games, all with the Celtics.

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. They were the third seed in the West.

Los Angeles signed Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia after losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. Head coach JJ Redick is expected to start Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Ayton next season.

This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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