The Los Angeles Lakers made a recent move that'll keep their superstar guard in good spirits.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to make tweaks to their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Two days after waiving two backcourt assets (Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin), the Lakers signed a 6-foot-3 former Boston Celtics star guard to appease Luka Doncic.
"Marcus Smart is officially a Laker," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote on X/Twitter while including a screenshot of the Lakers' recent press release.
Smart, who the Washington Wizards recently bought out, was a Celtic for the first nine years of his NBA career.
The 31-year-old unquestionably held his own offensively, but reached star status thanks to his contributions on the opposite end of the floor.
Smart’s ability to angle his body in a way that doesn’t allow opponents to complete straight-line drives and take gambles at the appropriate times enabled him to blossom into one of the premier perimeter defenders in the big leagues.
The Oklahoma State product earned the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award with Boston, showcasing his remarkable anticipation skills and physicality throughout the year (he averaged 1.7 steals per game).
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While many will question the Lakers’ decision to strike a deal with an injury-prone guard who’s only appeared in 54 games since the start of the 2023-24 season, it’s worth noting that the franchise should be commended for making a move that’ll keep Doncic, its franchise point guard, satisfied in Los Angeles.
“Doncic, according to league sources, had communicated his desires for a capable rim-running center, shooting help and defensive support," the Athletic's Dan Woike wrote Saturday. "The Lakers responded by filling those needs with Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and, soon, Marcus Smart.”
“Doncic has been an active recruiter for the Lakers this summer and helped secure commitments from Ayton and Smart after both unexpectedly hit free agency via contract buyouts.”
By securing Smart’s services for the 2025-26 campaign and beyond, the Lakers will remain on Doncic’s good side and take their defensive play to an elevated level.
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Category: Basketball
