Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas has given his opinion on the LA Lakers bringing Marcus Smart to the team after his contract buyout with the Washington Wizards.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Marcus Smart was set to complete a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards after just half a season with the team.
Although nothing has been made official yet, Smart is expected to join the LA Lakers once he clears the waivers.
Charania also reported that Luka Doncic was one of the players who recruited Smart to the Lakers.
While the NBA community reacted on X, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas also shared his thoughts, and it’s clear he is not convinced by the move.
The Lakers will have to make two cuts to their roster after signing Smart to a two-year $11 million deal.
This was their third acquisition so far in the offseason and while he did not mind the other two, Arenas was not a big fan of the team adding Smart.
As the trade was announced, he posted out a video on X in which he shared his feelings with followers.
He said: “Shams, stop dawg. Please Shams no more, we don’t want nobody else man, stop with the breaking news.
“Nobody knew he was a _ _ _ _ free agent. Are we having open tryouts, did I miss the_ _ _ _ memo.
“Who’s next, Kwame Brown you bout to get him now. I wonder why LeBron James won’t make a decision, look at who the _ __ _ we getting.”
Smart is a former Defensive Player of the Year and adds solidity to the roster, which was lost after Dorian Finney-Smith left in free agency.
He was part of the Boston Celtics‘ core team that made nine straight playoff appearances and even went to the NBA Finals.
His ability to defend all positions, while also contributing with points and making plays, is what made him a key player on the Celtics.
The team decided to move on and things have not been the same for him since then.
Smart went to the Memphis Grizzlies, but injuries kept him out of action. He was then moved to the Wizards in February this year.
| Season | Points | Assists | Steals |
| 2024-25 | 9.3 | 3.2 | 1.1 |
| 2023-24 | 14.5 | 4.3 | 2.1 |
| 2022-23 | 11.5 | 6.3 | 1.5 |
| 2021-22 | 12.1 | 5.9 | 1.7 |
| 2020-21 | 13.1 | 5.7 | 1.7 |
While his reputation may not be the same as it was a few years back, Smart can still be a valuable player on the roster.
Doncic recruiting him is an indication that he really wanted to play with Smart, which is a good sign for the Lakers.
With Reaves and Doncic in the backcourt, the Lakers are a little lightweight defensively there.
However, those problems will likely go away with Smart being added to the roster. If he remains fit and delivers on both ends of the floor, the Lakers will be a serious contender to win the Western Conference
