The Los Angeles Lakers would love to keep Marcus Smart, but things quickly get complicated if he declines his $5.3 million player option. Smart outplayed that contract and will get a raise if he declines that option. The 6’3 guard only spent one year with the Lakers, which would leave them with Non-Bird rights. LA is limited in what they can offer, which makes a reunion complicated.
Smart accepted $5.1 million from the Lakers after his buyout, so the most Los Angeles could offer would be $6.1 million if using the Non-Bird rights. They could sign him for more using cap space or if they give Smart all or part of the mid-level exception, but that would limit how the purple and gold can improve their roster.
The Lakers need more talent around Luka Doncic. They have to sort out the futures of Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes. LA can’t bring everyone back. If Smart also wants a raise, the Lakers’ brass will have some difficult decisions to make this summer.
Bringing back Marcus Smart is tricky for the Lakers
The Lakers are projected to have cap space, but it will virtually vanish if LeBron, Rui, and Kennard are brought back. Los Angeles will make Austin Reaves their final piece of business because his low cap hold gives the purple and gold some wiggle room. Reaves will get a significant raise, and the Lakers don’t want to be over the second apron. It is all about making the pieces fit.
Luka recruited Smart last summer and convinced him to come to LA after his buyout. The Wizards paid the 6’3 guard $14.7 million last season, which gives the veteran even more reason to opt out. Smart will have several offers in the non-taxpayer mid-level exception range if he hits free agency. That is virtually three times what his player option is worth.
It makes sense for Smart to decline his option and become an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers have avenues to re-sign him, but LA has to keep the space open. With Reaves getting a significant raise, the franchise has to make the pieces fit. It would be easier if they had full Bird rights on Smart, but that isn’t the case.
The Lakers will have to let someone walk, especially if they plan on upgrading their roster. Los Angeles needs a center upgrade over Deandre Ayton and more defense on the wing. Smart proved he can still help a contender, but the Lakers won’t get him on a bargain again. It is all about making the financial math work.
Marcus Smart earned a raise, and the Los Angeles Lakers have to save room to give it to him. Depending on what other moves Rob Pelinka can work out, the franchise may not have it. LA wants to build a title contender around Luka Doncic. They can’t just run it back, which makes this situation even stickier if Marcus Smart opts out.
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