The Smart Acquisition: A Veteran`s Last Stand?
Marcus Smart, the 31-year-old guard, is heading to Hollywood after securing a contract resolution with the Washington Wizards. His new deal with the Lakers is a two-year, $11 million agreement, notably featuring a player option for the second season. This modest figure, especially for a player of Smart`s former caliber, speaks volumes about the current market and his recent injury history. To put it in perspective, his penultimate contract commanded over $20 million annually. The Lakers, ever mindful of their salary cap and luxury tax thresholds, reportedly plan to waive guards Shake Milton (whose contract isn`t guaranteed) and Jordan Goodwin (partially guaranteed) to accommodate Smart, leveraging a salary exception to offer him more than a veteran minimum.
The Duality of Marcus Smart: From DPOY to Durability Concerns
Ah, Marcus Smart. The name itself conjures images of relentless defense, bone-rattling screens, and clutch plays. In 2022, a mere blink in NBA time, he was crowned the Defensive Player of the Year, a testament to his unique ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Three times, he earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. For nine seasons, from 2014 to 2023, he was the heart and soul, the unquestioned locker room leader of the Boston Celtics, who drafted him 6th overall.
Yet, the narrative takes a turn. The question lingering in the air is: How much of that “deluxe” Smart remains? He isn`t ancient by NBA standards, but the word “worn-out” surfaces with concerning frequency. Over the past two seasons, split between Memphis and Washington, he`s played sparingly and, frankly, poorly, limited to just 54 games in campaigns that typically boast 82. His shooting percentages dipped below 36% last season, a critical flaw for a player never renowned for his perimeter marksmanship. While some might attribute this decline to playing for non-playoff bound teams, the undeniable physical toll and reduced effectiveness are stark realities. A five-million-dollar annual salary, compared to his previous twenty, isn`t just a sign of market correction; it`s a stark reminder of perceived athletic decline.
Luka`s Lakers: A Shifting Influence
The ideal version of Marcus Smart would be nothing short of a godsend for the Lakers. He would be the perfect defensive foil for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, two offensive maestros who, let`s be honest, could use a tenacious defender to cover their flanks. Prime Smart is physical, even “nasty” in the best sense, a fierce competitor, and a vocal leader who thrives under pressure, eager to take on the opposition`s premier perimeter scorer.
Intriguingly, it appears Luka Doncic himself was instrumental in recruiting Smart, aiming to make him one of his personal “praetorian guards.” This is no minor detail. In the recent past, the Lakers` market maneuvers often bore the distinct imprint of LeBron James, largely influenced by Klutch Sports, the agency with significant ties to the King. This time, the narrative is different. A pending change in Lakers ownership, with billionaire Mark Walter gradually completing the acquisition, seems to have ushered in a sudden shift in strategic direction, subtly moving away from the “LeBron-centric” model.
Building Around the Future: Doncic`s Reign and Calculated Bets
Starting August 2nd, the Lakers are poised to offer Luka Doncic a four-year, $229 million contract extension. It`s widely expected he`ll sign it without hesitation. The script, it seems, is already written. In the interim, the team is diligently working to construct a championship-caliber roster around him. Deandre Ayton is an undeniable upgrade at center over Alex Len, and Smart is lightyears ahead of Milton as a guard. Jake LaRavia, acquired to fill the void left by Finney-Smith (who departed for the Houston Rockets in free agency), offers versatility and secondary creation at just 23.
However, it’s not all sunshine and trophies. Ayton has notorious issues with intensity and consistency, and as discussed, Smart`s “reserve fuel light” seems to be flickering. LaRavia, while promising, isn`t exactly a “phenom.” In essence, the Lakers are doing what they can without causing a seismic shift in the organization. They are continuing their incremental improvements, leaning heavily on low-cost, short-term bets. If these gambles pay off, the effort will have been well worth it. Otherwise, in 12 months, when the ownership transition is complete and LeBron James, at 41, potentially hangs up his sneakers, a full-blown “Revolution” might be on the horizon, with Doncic standing as the undisputed sole cornerstone. For now, in the City of Angels, they are meticulously adding reinforcements palatable to their new superstar, ensuring that signature on his extension isn`t subjected to any unwelcome plot twists. That`s a scenario the Lakers want to avoid at all costs.
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore