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Lakers Sign Marcus Smart to Bolster Perimeter Defense

Signed to a two-year, $11 million contract, Smart fills a perimeter gap with defensive pedigree under a rigid cap ceiling.

At DraftKings, the Lakers remain the betting favorites to keep LeBron James through at least the start of the upcoming season, but the Mavericks and Cavaliers are both now listed at 6-to-1 or shorter.
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Mar 22, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart (36) shoots the ball during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images/File Photo

Overview

  • Smart agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option for 2026-27 after clearing a buyout with the Washington Wizards.
  • Los Angeles waived Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin to free up its full bi-annual exception for Smart’s signing.
  • Marcus Smart cited multiple recruitment calls from Luka Dončić as a decisive factor in choosing the Lakers over other interested teams.
  • The veteran guard’s arrival upgrades the Lakers’ point-of-attack defense and injects experienced leadership into a relatively new core.
  • With Smart under contract, the Lakers sit about $1.1 million below the first apron and are hard-capped until at least June 2026, blocking further free-agent additions.