Sources told ESPN on Saturday that guard Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract acquisition with the Washington Wizards and plans to reach a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing the waiver, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
Sources said Smart is the defensive player of the year of 2022 and a three-time All-Bang first team member, and his new Lakers contract will have a player choice to enter the 2026 free agent that is more flush in 2026.
Sources said Lakers All-NBA star Luka Doncic reached out to Smart and made it clear that he wanted to play with people who were determined both ways.
The planned move is Smart's return to the stage, making the playoffs every of his first nine NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics. He has missed the playoffs in Memphis and Washington over the past two years.
Smart has also limited 54 games over the past two seasons due to injury, including last season’s right finger, and he averaged 20 minutes per game in 2024-25.
Sources said the Lakers, Phoenix and Milwaukee Bucks were serious about pursuing Smart, and they were licensed to talk to the team and had active conversations with people from all three teams.
After losing the attack point Dorian Finney-Smith, the wingback is the main position the Lakers need.