Veteran point guard Marcus Smart is set to embark on a new chapter in his career, as he will be finding a new home for the third time in the last three years. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Smart and the Washington Wizards have reached an agreement on a contract buyout, paving the way for him to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

As part of the Lakers' recruitment efforts, standout player Luka Doncic reportedly reached out to Smart to express his desire to play alongside him. The Lakers faced competition for Smart's services from the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, underscoring the value and interest in the accomplished guard. Notably, Smart was set to earn $21.6 million for the 2025-26 season on an expiring deal after the Wizards acquired him from the Memphis Grizzlies at the 2025 trade deadline.

The previous season was particularly challenging for the 31-year-old Smart, as he appeared in only 34 games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals over approximately 20 minutes per contest. An ongoing injury to his right index finger hampered his performance throughout the year. Earlier in his career, after being acquired by the Grizzlies from the Boston Celtics before the 2023-24 season, Smart experienced a resurgence, averaging career highs of 14.5 points and 2.1 steals despite being limited to just 20 games due to injuries. Over the past two seasons, he has missed more games than he did in nine combined seasons with the Celtics. Nevertheless, Smart is still widely recognized as one of the top defensive players in the league, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. The Lakers will be hoping that Smart can return to form and remain healthy while contributing significantly as a backcourt defender as they aim for a playoff contention.