Lakers sign former Defensive Player of the Year

The Los Angeles Lakers have two of the biggest stars in the sport in Luka Dončić and LeBron James, which has still yet to result in any success for the organization after a first-round exit in the postseason in their first season together. However, on paper, the organization has been diligent in bringing in excellent talent around the two stars, which they continued to do on Saturday.

Year two of the Dončić-James era in Los Angeles could look a whole lot different after the organization’s move on Saturday, agreeing to a contract with former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart after Smart agreed to a contract buy-out with his former team, the Washington Wizards.

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. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025

Smart is of course best known for his time with the Boston Celtics, playing a pivotal role within the organization for years as they grew into one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

The past two seasons haven’t looked all that great for Smart, who has battled injuries while playing on struggling teams in the past two seasons after being moved by the Celtics.

That being said, on paper, this move to bring in Smart could be exactly what the Lakers need this coming season, as defense was a pretty significant issue for the team last season.

If Smart can rebound from some unexceptional play in each of the last two years, the Lakers could truly be one of the more dangerous teams in the Western Conference moving forward. So it will sure be interesting to see how someone like Smart does ultimately fit alongside James and Dončić next season.