Marcus Smart Signs With Lakers

NBA veteran Marcus Smart has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Smart was an unrestricted free agent after getting bought out by the Washington Wizards. 

“Adding a player like Marcus Smart to our roster allows us to compete at the highest level,” Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka said. “Marcus epitomizes what it means to prioritize winning above all else – whether that’s making huge plays on the defensive end or hitting critical shots in key moments of the most intense games. He knows and understands playoff winning and will be a key leadership voice in our group. Surrounding our stars with two-way players like Marcus is critical to our overall vision of how we want to play and win next season. This is an exciting player acquisition, for sure.”

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 NBA 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.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick is expected to start Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Ayton next season. 

Doncic recruited Ayton and Smart to the Lakers, who can sign Doncic to an extension starting on August 2. 

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