Veteran point guard Marcus Smart is set to embark on a new chapter in his career, marking the third time in the last three years that he will change teams. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Smart has reached an agreement on a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and plans to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This decision follows his acquisition by the Wizards from the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 trade deadline.

During the recruitment process by the Lakers, it was reported that Luka Doncic reached out to Smart to express his desire to play alongside him. The pursuit of Smart was competitive, with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks also expressing interest in acquiring the veteran guard. Having signed an expiring deal worth $21.6 million for the upcoming 2025-26 season, Smart’s most recent tenure saw him face significant challenges due to injuries.

The 2024-25 season proved to be particularly difficult for the 31-year-old Smart, as he appeared in just 34 games and recorded averages of 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in approximately 20.0 minutes of play per game. Earlier in his career, Smart was a strong contributor, particularly during the 2023-24 season with the Grizzlies, where he averaged career highs of 14.5 points and 2.1 steals but was limited to only 20 games. Despite the injury challenges he has faced over the past two seasons, Smart is still highly regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league. His accolades include being named the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and the Lakers will be banking on his experience and defensive prowess as they aim for a playoff berth.