Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers had been very quiet entering Saturday when it comes to offseason roster additions. Despite being surrounded by a lot of rumors, the Lakers had added just two players.
While fans like the moves to sign Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, those two moves alone were not going to make the team a championship contender.
Surrounding Luka Doncic with the best pieces possible to win now has been an obvious priority. However, Los Angeles has also wanted to keep their long-term financial flexibility in the process.
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On Saturday afternoon, the Lakers struck again in free agency. They have agreed to sign veteran guard Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million contract following his buyout from the Washington Wizards.
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That report was first shared by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
“BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X. “A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.”
Smart is a nice addition for a Los Angeles team that badly needed a better defensive mentality. He has been known as an elite perimeter defender throughout his NBA career.
Last season, the 31-year-old guard played for both the Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. He didn’t play much, as he dealt with injury issues and simply a lack of role.
In the 34 games and seven starts that he did play in, Smart averaged nine points per game to go along with 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 20 minutes per game. He also shot 39.3 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from the three-point line.
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Granted, this isn’t the move that will power the Lakers to a championship. It’s simply a great depth addition who will help towards that goal.
Doncic and LeBron James will need to be the driving force for Los Angeles. Ayton will also be asked to step up his game a notch.
Adding Smart on a deal worth an average of $5.5 million per season is a steal. If he can stay healthy, there is no question the veteran wing can help the Lakers compete at a higher level.
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