The Los Angeles Lakers have been ravaged with injuries to begin their 2025-26 campaign, but one of their latest additions could be making his presence felt on the court relatively soon.
Following the recent report that Los Angeles' legendary 40-year-old forward LeBron James would miss the first few weeks of the team's regular season, the franchise was relieved to find that their summer free agent acquisition and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart has been making good progress in his recovery from Achilles tendinopathy.
During a recent media scrum, the 31-year-old Ex-Boston Celtics guard revealed to reporters that he and the Lakers' medical staff have been working tirelessly to get him back onto the floor while still taking all necessary precautions. Along the way, Smart also described the process of mentally preparing to re-enter the fray.
"It's been a rollercoaster," Smart shared with ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Thursday.
"It definitely has, but it's a part of the game. The staff is doing a great job of controlling what we can control with the tendinopathy, making sure we're doing all the things to load it, to get it back used to doing the things we're doing and increasing intensity."
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"Mentally, it's been a rollercoaster, as well. But I have a great supporting cast around me to keep me head straight, to keep me optimistic."
When he was asked if he sees himself suiting up for the Lakers' next preseason game against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, Smart explained that he's taking his time with the recovery process, but imagines himself playing preseason basketball in the very near future.
"We're taking it day-by-day, but today was a good day to be out there. Full practice with no issues and no restraints."
"I plan to play during (the) preseason, just don't know when."
Smart was a full participant in the Lakers' practice on Thursday, but it appears that he might need a little while longer to feel 100% confident in making his preseason debut for the storied organization.
The 11-year veteran and 3-time All-Defensive First Team selection agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal this offseason, and he'll aim to impact contests as a game-wrecking perimeter defender next to Los Angeles' 26-year-old generational talent Luka Dončić.
In 34 total contests in 2024-25 while splitting time between the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards, Smart contributed 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals while registering a 0.1 defensive box plus-minus, making it 11 consecutive seasons with a positive mark in that category.
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