Smart beefs up Lakers after buyout with Washington

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Los Angeles Lakers received a much-needed backcourt reinforcement ahead of the upcoming 2025-2026 NBA season.

After reaching a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, two-way defensive guard Marcus Smart has decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers, confirmed by ESPN veteran NBA insider Shams Charania.

Smart will reportedly sign a two-year, $11 million contract with Los Angeles and will be playing for his fourth team in his 11-year NBA career, having previously suited up for the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Wizards.

It wasn’t an ideal campaign for Smart during the recently concluded season after only playing 19 total games due to a recurring finger injury.

In his final season with Washington, the veteran floor general only averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.

His offensive numbers were his second-worst in his career and he is hoping to turn things around when he debuts with the purple and gold this October.

According to NBA correspondent Marc Stein, Luka Doncic played a vital role during the recruitment process after personally reaching out to Smart to join the Lakers.

With Smart now on the team, the Lakers will have more talent to stretch around in the backcourt together with Gabe Vincent and Austin Reaves.

Last season, before Doncic arrived, Reaves played a dual role as the team’s point guard while also scoring when Los Angeles needed him to.

Smart’s ability to navigate the floor will put Reaves back in his natural position and could also lessen the ball-handling load on Doncic and LeBron James.

Can the Lakers patch things up this season with Smart’s help?