The LA Lakers are set to sign Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year.
Once his buyout from the Washington Wizards is official and he clears waivers, Marcus Smart will sign for the LA Lakers.
ESPN reports Smart has agreed to a two-year $11 million deal, shunning interest from the New York Knicks.
Luka Doncic played a key role in convincing Smart to join the Lakers. He knows exactly how good the 31-year-old is and what he can bring to the team.
Since being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2014, Smart has made a name for himself as one of the most competitive players in the NBA, and will bring aggressiveness to the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is an analyst for TNT, and down the years he has been a hard man to win over.
During the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals between Smart’s Celtics and the Miami Heat, O’Neal talked up Smart’s opponent Jimmy Butler.
He was dismissive of Smart’s credentials as the Defensive Player of the Year, claiming he would not be able to shut Butler down.
Speaking during a heated segment, O’Neal said: “First of all, Jimmy can get 40 if he puts his mind to it. With or without Marcus Smart, Jimmy Butler can get 40.
“He’s at that level now where nobody is stopping him…Marcus Smart ain’t shutting Jimmy Butler down; if he wants to get 40 he can get 40…I don’t want to hear that Defensive Player of the Year c***.”
Marcus Smart went on to play a key role as the Boston Celtics won the series 4-3 and booked their place in the NBA Finals.
And one former LA Laker who did appreciate his efforts was Magic Johnson, who made note of how he did shut down Jimmy Butler.
He wrote on X: “The return of Marcus Smart led the Celtics to a blowout victory over the Heat!
“Smart was the key difference-maker – he had 24 points and was a great facilitator tonight, adding 12 assists and 9 rebounds. His defense on Jimmy Butler was also outstanding.”
Marcus Smart would later be traded away by the Boston Celtics in 2023, after they ended up losing the 2022 Finals to the Warriors.
After a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Washington Wizards, Marcus Smart will have lots to prove with the LA Lakers.
Back under the spotlight, Smart will revel in the attention, and he has already proven that he can deal with having his performances scrutinized under the spotlight.
And intriguingly, there is a possibility Magic Johnson will have involvement with the Lakers again, as an advisor to the new ownership group, where he has business ties to Mark Walter.
Byron Scott has already suggested there could be a change in the front office with Johnson becoming more involved, and given his admiration of Marcus Smart, that can only be good news for the new arrival.
