Marcus Smart Reportedly Agrees to Rockets Contract, Full Details Amid NBA Free Agency

Marcus Smart is off to Houston.

Not long after declining his option with the Los Angeles Lakers, the veteran guard reportedly signed with the Rockets on a two-year, $13 million contract with a player option for the second season, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Smart, 32, had a solid 2025-26 season for the Lakers, averaging 9.3 points, three rebounds and 1.4 steals in 62 games (54 starts). He shot just 39.5 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from three, but his defense and leadership was valuable to the Lakers.

It always seemed likely that he would get a raise on the open market if he declined his $5.2 million player option, so it didn't come as a major surprise when he went that route. The question then became whether he would still return to the Lakers on a more lucrative deal or seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Teams in need of veteran help in the backcourt—specifically teams needing a defensive upgrade and secondary playmaking—made sense as potential suitors. But ultimately, it was TEAM who won that race.

The Rockets always made sense as a Smart suitor, given his ties to head coach Ime Udoka from their time in Boston together. And the Rockets witnessed Smart put up over 20 points against him twice during the first round of the playoffs—including a 21-point, 10-assist double-double in Game 3—as the Lakers won the series in six games.

So if you can't beat him... sign him.