Marcus Smart joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $11 million contract that includes a player option for the 2026-27 season. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year had spent his first nine seasons with the rival Boston Celtics -- reaching the postseason every year -- before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies two summer ago.
He appeared in just 20 games as the franchise missed the postseason. Smart began the 2024-25 season in Memphis, however, he was traded to the Washington Wizards ahead of the trade deadline. He once again battled injuries, appearing in 34 games and failing to reach the postseason for the second consecutive season.
Smart reportedly gave up just under $7 million to facilitate a buyout with the Wizards and join the Lakers. He met with the local media for the first time on Tuesday, revealing that he is motivated following two injury-plagued seasons.
"I'm very motivated," Lakers guard Marcus Smart stated Tuesday. "The last two years were a disappointment. Injuries kind of stopped me and held me back ... (but) everything happens for a reason and I look at those reasons was for me to be here. For people to look at me and say 'maybe he isn't the same.'"
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While Smart appeared in just 54 games over the two seasons, he was productive when healthy. The three-time first-team All-Defensive guard averaged 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.3 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game while shooting 41.1% from the field, 33.1% from three-point range and 76.4% from the free-throw line.
He set career-highs in 2023-24 as he averaged 14.5 ppg, 2.1 spg and shot 43.0% from the field. The following season, he shot 34.8% from three-point range -- which was the second-highest mark of his career.
Smart will likely have plenty of open looks playing alongside Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. If he is able to stay healthy and continue to knock down shots, he could be in line for a strong bounceback season.
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