Report: Marcus Smart to Sign with Los Angeles Lakers following Buyout

The former Cowboy who exemplified all it meant to be a Celtic will now join their biggest rival.

Marcus Smart is set to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers following his buyout with the Washington Wizards, according to a report by ESPN’s Shams Charania. It’s a reported two-year, $11 million deal that includes a player option.

Smart played 15 games for the Wizards this past season, splitting 2024-25 between Washington and the Memphis Grizzlies after being traded in February. He signed with Memphis ahead of the 2023-24 season. Before that he spent nine years in Boston where the former sixth overall pick became known for his stellar defense and overall tenacity.

Smart was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team honoree.

The former Big 12 Player of the Year averaged nine points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals between both teams during his 11ths season. He will be 31 years old at the start of the 2025-26 season.

The Lakers are sure to be on TV quite a bit next season in that … well, they’re the Lakers. Then on top of that, the team features LeBron James and Luka Doncic.