Doncic helps Lakers convince player to join from arch-rivals
The Celtics player for nine seasons joins their arch-rivals after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with the Wizards.
Marcus Smart is heading to Los Angeles. The veteran point guard, who spent nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, has reached a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards and is set to join the Celtics’ eternal rival, the Lakers. The news, reported by the ever-reliable Shams Charania (ESPN), indicates that Smart plans to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers. The second year will be a player option, allowing him to test the 2026 free agency market—widely expected to be stronger and potentially more lucrative.
While the move has yet to be officially confirmed (though when Charania reports it, it’s usually a done deal), it directly addresses a key need for the Lakers in this free agency period: a tough, reliable perimeter defender to pair with Luka Dončić. In fact, Dončić was reportedly involved in the recruitment process, reaching out personally to Smart to help persuade him to come to L.A. Notably absent from the process is LeBron James, whose future with the franchise remains uncertain despite recent rumors about his departure quieting down.
Smart, now 31 years old and standing at 1.91 meters, brings 11 seasons of NBA experience. He was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2015 and built a reputation in Boston as a fierce, gritty defender—a fan favorite whose physical intensity and leadership made him a key figure. But he was also a polarizing presence, often criticized for inconsistent shooting and offensive decision-making. In 2023, he was traded to the Grizzlies, where injuries derailed his impact. Meanwhile, the Celtics, at long last, won their 18th NBA title—without him.
Now, the Lakers are adding a player who, in 2022, became the first point guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. Smart is a proven leader and elite defender, but he also brings baggage: persistent injury issues and long-standing inefficiencies on offense, especially from beyond the arc (career average just above 32% from three). Still, on paper, his fit alongside Dončić looks ideal—defensively versatile and unafraid to take on the toughest assignments.
The Lakers, who recently signed Deandre Ayton, continue to reshape their roster. To finalize the Smart deal, they’ll likely need to waive Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin or engineer another trade. Until then—and pending official confirmation—Smart’s arrival is just about set.
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
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And to think: Marcus Smart, a Laker. Who would’ve imagined it a few years ago? Basketball never ceases to surprise.
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