Marcus Smart Joins Lakers After Wizards Buyout in Major NBA Move
So here’s a big one from the NBA world — Marcus Smart is officially making a move to the West Coast. After agreeing to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, the veteran guard is set to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $11 million deal. It’s a headline move that could shift the balance for the Lakers as they reload for another playoff run.
Smart, now 31, has had a tough couple of years with injuries, appearing in just 54 games across the last two seasons. But even with limited minutes, his impact has never really dropped. When healthy, he’s still one of the league’s most disruptive defenders. Let’s not forget — this is the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Defensive First Team selection. The Lakers are getting one of the toughest, most tenacious perimeter defenders in the game.
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And it sounds like this wasn’t just a front office move. According to reports, Lakers superstar Luka Dončić personally reached out to Smart to bring him in. That says a lot about Smart’s reputation in the league. He’s not just a stat-sheet guy — he’s the kind of presence that raises a team’s defensive floor and brings real locker room grit.
Over his 11-season career, mostly spent with the Boston Celtics, Smart has averaged 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He was the heart of the Celtics’ defense for nearly a decade, helping lead them to consistent playoff appearances, including five Eastern Conference Finals and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2022.
After short stints with the Grizzlies and Wizards, Smart’s production dipped a bit — last season, he posted 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game in just 20 minutes per outing. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Even in limited time, he showed flashes of that elite defense and playmaking that made him a fan favorite in Boston.
This move is huge for the Lakers. They’re coming off a strong 50-32 season but got bounced early in the playoffs by the Timberwolves. Now, they add Smart’s experience and intensity to a backcourt already featuring Dončić and LeBron James. It’s a clear signal: the Lakers are going all-in for a title push, and Smart could be a critical piece of that puzzle.
Whether he starts or plays a key bench role, Smart gives L.A. a defensive edge they lacked last year — and don’t be surprised if his hustle and leadership shift the tone of that entire roster.
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