Marcus Smart Reportedly Plans to Sign Lakers Contract After Wizards Buyout

For the third time in the last three years and the second time in 2025, veteran point guard Marcus Smart will be finding a new home.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards and Smart reached an agreement on a contract buyout, and the veteran guard plans to sign a two-year $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Charania added that, as part of the Lakers' recruitment efforts, Luka Doncic "reached out to Smart and made it clear that he wanted to play with" him.

The Lakers were joined in their pursuit of Smart by the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, Charania reported.

He was set to make $21.6 million for the 2025-26 season on an expiring deal. The Wizards had acquired Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies at the 2025 trade deadline.

The 2024-25 season was a forgettable one for the 31-year-old, as he was limited to a combined 34 games and put up cumulative averages of 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals across 20.0 minutes of action. He dealt with an injury to his right index finger that hindered him throughout the year.

The Grizzlies had acquired Smart from the Boston Celtics prior to the 2023-24 season, hoping that his veteran presence would pay dividends for a rising young team. Despite averaging career highs of 14.5 points and 2.1 steals, he was limited to just 20 games that year due to injuries. He's missed more games over the past two seasons than he did over nine combined seasons with the Celtics.

While Smart has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, he's still regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league. The 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year can still be a key contributor on a team hoping to contend for a playoff spot.

The Lakers will be hoping that he will be able to stay healthy and return to his usual form as a top backcourt defender.