Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic recruited former DPOY to the Lakers

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 3:01 PM ET

When the Los Angeles Lakers paired Luka Doncic with LeBron James last season, the biggest question surrounding the roster was whether it could hang on the defensive end.

James was once a defensive force; however, he's started to show signs of slippage on that side of the floor in recent years. Doncic, meanwhile, has consistently received criticism for his lack of upside on the defensive end.

The Lakers have made a move to help provide some much-needed balance to the roster. JJ Redick's team is expected to add 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. The Lakers are currently waiting on Smart's buyout from the Washington Wizards to become official.

Shortly after the news of Smart's impending addition broke on social media, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that Doncic had played a significant role in Smart's expected decision to join the Lakers.

Lakers star Luka Dončić made a direct recruiting pitch to Marcus Smart this week that resonated with the veteran guard, league sources tell @TheSteinLine, after Smart's agent Jason Glushon was granted permission by the Wizards to explore potential post-buyout landing spots. https://t.co/x30X5xOpMR
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 19, 2025

Convincing Smart to move to the Lakers can't have been easy. At his core, he's a Boston Celtics product and a fan favorite in the TD Garden. Crossing that divide, even after two years away from the franchise, was likely a tough decision.

Nevertheless, the Lakers are set to have one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA on their roster. The challenge will be ensuring he stays healthy. Smart has struggled with injuries since leaving Boston. He played just 20 games for the Grizzlies in the 2023-24 season and 34 games last season. The Lakers will need him at his best if they're going to reap the rewards of bringing Smart to the City of Angels.

Still, the biggest takeaway of Smart's likely addition is that after just half a season, Doncic's influence is starting to reach around the NBA. He's the new face of the Lakers franchise, and if there were any doubts about his status as the alpha dog, Smart's addition should put them to bed.

Now, though, Doncic must prove he can be more than a heliocentric star. He must show he can lead the team to a championship in the coming years. Smart can help. He's experienced in the postseason, having been the primary ball-handler en route to Boston's 2022 NBA Finals appearance.

The Lakers are poised to make a strong addition. They can thank Doncic for making it possible. Ultimately, they appear to be a franchise moving in the right direction.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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