Forward Marcus Smart revealed Luka Doncic’s influence on his decision to join the Lakers during his introductory press conference.
Doncic, key in Smart’s arrival at the Lakers
Smart, after reaching a contract buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards, signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Lakers. The Los Angeles team waived Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin to have access to the bi-annual exception and thus sign Smart, 31, above the veteran’s minimum. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-Defensive First Team member will be tasked with providing the Lakers with a perimeter defender following the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. With 108 playoff games under his belt, tied with Mike Conley of the Minnesota Timberwolves for 18th among active players, his experience will be valuable to a relatively new Lakers group. Smart, when asked about his role on the team, responded: “Just being myself. Coming in and doing what I do, which is being a tenacious defender, bringing the intensity I bring, my leadership, my basketball IQ as well. But just being the pest I’ve always been.” Doncic’s insistence on signing Smart is a positive sign of his long-term commitment to the franchise. Doncic has two years left on his contract with the Lakers, including a player option for the 2026-27 season. Smart is one of the four new faces joining the team this offseason, along with center Deandre Ayton, forward Jake LaRavia, and second-round pick Adou Thiero. The Lakers won 50 games and earned the No. 3 seed in the competitive Western Conference last season, before being eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in five games. Smart believes the Lakers are prepared to compete in the West, which is expected to be just as competitive in the 2025-26 season with the current champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a renewed Denver Nuggets and Rockets that present formidable challenges, to name a few teams.When you have a guy like Luka calling… asking for you, trying to see where you are, to see if you want to join something special he’s trying to build here,” Smart said. “For him to say he can really use my help, that meant a lot.
Marcus Smart
After spending the first nine years of his career with the Boston Celtics, the team that drafted him 6th overall in 2014, Smart played only 54 games in the last two seasons with Washington and the Memphis Grizzlies due to injuries. Smart added: “I am very motivated. The last two years for me were, in my eyes, a disappointment. Injuries stopped me and held me back. But, as I told my wife and family, everything happens for a reason. And it’s funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here and now it’s a full circle and I’m here.”“I think we’re up there with the best,” Smart said. “And I think we can compete. Our ceiling is high. I think there’s no ceiling. I think if we all focus and do what we’re supposed to do, we can have a really good chance.
Marcus Smart
