Overview
- Multiple outlets report Smart agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with a player option for the second season, with confirmations coming from ESPN and the Los Angeles Times via people not authorized to speak publicly.
- Smart declined a $5.4 million player option with the Lakers before testing free agency after signing a two-year, $10.5 million deal with Los Angeles last season.
- He emerged as the Lakers’ top defensive presence this past season, averaging 9.3 points, three assists and 1.4 steals in 62 regular-season games while leading the team in plus-minus.
- The signing reunites Smart with former Boston coach Ima Udoka and pairs him with a reshaped Rockets backcourt that includes Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, giving Houston more perimeter defense and playmaking depth.
- The loss deepens early offseason turnover for the Lakers following departures by LeBron James and Luke Kennard and creates an immediate need for the team to replace on-court defense and locker-room leadership while accounting for Smart’s past injuries and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year pedigree.