Marcus Smart Set to Join Lakers Following Wizards Buyout

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Veteran guard Marcus Smart will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after finalizing a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, marking another strategic move for a franchise looking to reassert itself as a championship contender.

According to a report from the Associated Press, Smart agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers after parting ways with Washington. While the Wizards have not officially announced the buyout, sources familiar with the arrangement confirmed the move. Smart brings high-level defensive talent and veteran leadership to a Lakers squad already stacked with scoring threats like LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

Smart made a name for himself during his nine-season run with the Boston Celtics, where he earned the National Basketball Association (NBA) Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. He also made the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times and helped Boston reach the NBA Finals during that standout 2021–2022 season. After being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023, injuries began to limit his court time. He appeared in only 54 games over the past two seasons and played just 15 games with Washington after arriving in a mid-season trade earlier this year.

Despite modest career scoring numbers averaging no more than 13.1 points per game, Smart’s true value lies in his ability to anchor a defense and lead with grit. With the Lakers losing key defender Dorian Finney-Smith to free agency, Smart fills a critical void. Los Angeles is prioritizing defense heading into next season, having already signed center DeAndre Ayton and former Memphis teammate Jake LaRavia during this offseason.

The Lakers were eliminated in the first round of last season’s playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they have kept most of their core intact. Notably, LeBron James opted into the final year of his contract, a $52.6 million deal, signaling his commitment to pursue another title run. According to agent Rich Paul, James expects the Lakers to make serious moves to remain competitive in a tightening Western Conference, and bringing Smart on board aligns with that vision.

Smart’s arrival, alongside Ayton and LaRavia, gives the Lakers a mix of defensive toughness and experience. With a healthy roster and a focus on two-way play, Los Angeles is positioning itself as a serious threat heading into the 2025 season.