Adding Marcus Smart was clearly a great move for a Los Angeles Lakers team that desperately needed a strong point-of-attack defender. But now that the roster is starting to take shape and the Lakers have a clearer sense of who will be in their rotation, one key challenge has emerged. JJ Redick has to figure out how to maximize Smart’s value on defense without letting his offensive limitations throw off the rhythm of a unit that will rely heavily on Luka Doncic to orchestrate.
There is no question what Smart brings on the defensive end. He can guard multiple positions, makes life miserable for opposing ball-handlers, and gives the Lakers a dose of physicality they have lacked in recent years.
In a Western Conference full of elite scoring guards, Smart is the kind of presence that can swing a game just by making things uncomfortable at the point of attack. But the real test will be whether Redick can integrate Smart into lineups that will also include Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, without bogging things down on offense.
Smart's defensive genius must balance out his offensive limitations
Offensively, Smart should not be doing much more than hitting open shots and finishing the occasional drive. The Lakers do not need him to create or be aggressive with his jumper. They just need him to pick his spots and keep things moving. That sounds simple in theory, but in practice, it is going to take some intentional lineup design to make sure he is not left wide open as a weak link.
One of Redick’s first major decisions as head coach will be deciding whether Smart should start or come off the bench. If he does start, Reaves or Hachimura likely moves to the second unit. That may actually help balance things out, giving Smart more room to operate without being expected to carry any kind of scoring burden. But there is also an argument for keeping him in a high-minute bench role that allows Redick to pick and choose matchups more carefully.
The good news for the Lakers is that they have options. But there is no doubt that fitting Smart into the mix offensively is going to be one of the tougher coaching puzzles Redick faces in year two.
Defense will always be Smart’s calling card, and there is no doubt he will earn his minutes on that end. What remains to be seen is whether Redick can create an offensive environment where Smart contributes without disrupting the flow. If he pulls that off, this team will be in a much stronger position heading into the season.