Overview
- Marcus Smart agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards and will sign a two-year, $11 million deal with a 2026–27 player option after clearing waivers.
- The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is expected to shore up a Lakers backcourt that ranked 17th in defensive rating last season.
- To comply with luxury-tax apron rules, the Lakers plan to waive guard Shake Milton and explore additional roster moves.
- Los Angeles has confirmed no trade discussions involving LeBron James and is moving forward with an internal push to extend Luka Doncic.
- Despite fan-proposed trades targeting guards like Jrue Holiday and Matisse Thybulle, front-office efforts have focused on confirmed buyouts and cap-managed signings.