LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves are the big three for the Los Angeles Lakers, but a marquee defensive member is joining the squad.
Marcus Smart, 31, agreed to a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards to join the Lakers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news as the three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team and 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year wants to assist the Lakers to a championship. The former player for the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies spent 15 games last season in Washington. He averaged nine points per game for the Wizards. Smart averaged double figures in scoring in seven years of his career, including six seasons in Boston. Smart totaled a career-high 14.5 points a game in 2023-24 with the Grizzlies.
TOP NEWS
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
Smart earned Big 12 Player of the Year (2013) at Oklahoma State and was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection.
Iman Shumpert agrees with Richard Jefferson on playing with LeBron James
The Lakers now has some big muscle on defense with Smart.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
