Lakers' Updated Roster, Salary Cap After Reported Marcus Smart Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers made a backcourt addition in free agency on Saturday, reportedly signing Marcus Smart to a two-year contract worth $11 million following his buyout from the Washington Wizards.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Lakers are $909,000 below the first apron and must clear salary to use the $5.1 million biannual exception to sign Smart.

Los Angeles can clear $3 million by waiving Shake Milton, per Spotrac's Keith Smith.

Here's how the Lakers' roster currently looks with the acquisition of the former Defensive Player of the Year.

PG: Luka Dončić, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, Bronny James

SG: Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Jordan Goodwin, Shake Milton

SF: Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia

PF: LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber

C: Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes

Smart still had one year and $21.6 million remaining on his deal before Washington bought out his contract.

He opened the 2024-25 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but was acquired by the Wizards as part of a three-team swap prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Smart has been limited by a right finger injury over the past two seasons, appearing in just 54 of a possible 164 games over that span.

In 34 combined appearances with Memphis and Washington last season, he averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 assists to go along with 1.1 steals per game on 39.3/34.8/76.1 shooting splits.

Smart was more efficient following the change of scenery, shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from beyond the arc as a member of the Wizards.

He continued to make an impact defensively, as Washington owned a 109.8 defensive rating with Smart on the court last season compared to a 118.7 defensive rating with him off the floor (via NBA.com).

The 31-year-old was coveted by several teams before joining Los Angeles, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns "seriously pursued" him.

As the Lakers look to clinch a fourth consecutive playoff berth next season, they added a key point-of-attack defender alongside James and Dončić.