The Los Angeles Lakers would love to keep Marcus Smart, but doing so will be a test of Luka Doncic’s recruiting chops. LA’s superstar convinced Smart to join the Lakers after his buyout from the Wizards. The former Defensive Player of the Year earned just $5.1 million from the Lakers last season, but had $14.7 million coming from Washington. Smart will likely decline his player option, and Luka will have to convince him to stay in free agency.
Smart had a bounce-back year and was even better in the playoffs. He averaged 12.9 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 steals in 34.5 minutes per game as LA advanced to the second round without Luka. The Lakers were 8.4 points 100 possessions better with him on the floor during the regular season and still 4.9 better in the playoffs, despite being swept by the Thunder.
The Lakers need a stout perimeter defender and leader next to Doncic and Austin Reaves. Smart filled that role beautifully, but things get more complicated now. Los Angeles has to bring him back on a reasonable contract, and it will take more recruiting from number 77.
Luka Doncic’s recruiting powers face another Marcus Smart test
Doncic has some say over the team’s personnel. The Lakers want to add shooting and defense to better resemble the 2024 Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals with Luka running the show. Reaves is Kyrie Irving, and they need Smart to be Derrick Jones Jr. in this scenario.
Smart earned more than $5.3 million, so he will decline his player option. Every contender would love his leadership and defense. The Lakers had a 113.1 defensive rating with the 6’3 guard on the floor, and it dropped to 119.2 without him. For reference, 113.1 would have rated 11th over the entire regular season, and 119.2 would have sat 27th. Smart can transform an entire defense.
There will be offers over the taxpayer mid-level exception for Smart, and he may even approach the non-tax MLE figure. The Lakers are unlikely to have that type of room, especially if Reaves demands a massive raise. Luka will have to convince Smart to take $8-10 million per year to remain in LA.
Doncic got him on the Lakers. That move was a massive win, but nobody wants it to end after just one year. The 32-year-old still has multiple productive years left in the tank. Contenders will be lining up when he declines his player option, which puts the pressure on number 77 to close the deal again.
It will be a summer of roster change for the Lakers. Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes will all be unrestricted free agents. Deandre Ayton and Smart have player options to decline on. LA wants to upgrade their roster in hopes of jumping into title contention. There is work to be done.
Luka Doncic has to convince Marcus Smart to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for less than his market value. He did it last summer to great success, but another test of his recruiting powers awaits. There will be plenty of interest in Smart, but fans shouldn’t count out Luka. Number 77 loves a challenge and always rises to the occasion.
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