The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need Marcus Smart’s point of attack defense, but Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported that the Rockets are preparing a three-year deal (subscription required) to steal the veteran guard. Smart played for now-Houston head coach Ime Udoka in Boston and has the insiders thinking the veteran will decline his player option. The Lakers haven’t lost him yet, but they have a problem brewing.
This was not the first rumor of the Rockets' interest. They are a defense-first team that would love to steal Smart from the franchise that eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs. Smart proved he is still an elite point of attack defender as he helped the Lakers to get to the second round.
Losing Smart would be a nightmare for Los Angeles. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves need a guard flanking them that takes on the toughest defensive assignment and can lead the defense. The Lakers will have no issues scoring, but Smart’s leadership and defense were key to LA looking like a serious threat when healthy.
Rockets are preparing to steal Marcus Smart from the Lakers
Smart has just a $5.4 million player option for the 2026-27 season. He actually made $19.9 million last season because he got a $14.7 million buyout from the Wizards. The 32-year-old deserves significantly more than $5.4 million, so there should be no surprise that he is opting out.
The Lakers have cap space and can outbid Houston in free agency. It would be a risk based on Smart’s injury history. He played just 54 games total in his first two seasons after he left Boston. The 6’3 guard appeared in 62 last season, but LA certainly doesn’t want to be caught holding the bag.
The purple and gold already had defensive questions. They are searching for a rim-protecting center to anchor their defense. Doncic and Reaves are below-average defenders. The Lakers need standout options to succeed on that end of the floor. Smart locked things down at the point of attack, but now he may be headed to the rival Rockets.
The Lakers should have no qualms offering a three-year deal worth $30 million. That is $10 million per year. John Hollinger’s BORD$ valuations (subscription required) had Smart at $11.5 million for the 2026-27 season. Assuming a slight decline, $10 million per year seems like fair market value. If Houston is willing to top that, LA should let Smart walk. They are left with a gaping defensive hole, but Rob Pelinka has to find a way to fill it.
The Lakers officially have a Marcus Smart problem. He will be significantly more expensive next season if he returns. The Rockets are a serious threat to steal the veteran, which only makes Los Angeles’ problems worse. They need a stout on-ball defender to help lead their defense. If they lose Smart, the Lakers will be searching for a replacement.
The Los Angeles Lakers have work to do. They must sort out the futures of LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes this summer, while improving their roster.
LA has Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Those are two pillars of a title contender. It is on Rob Pelinka to find the right pieces around them. Losing Smart would hurt, but every dollar matters in the second apron era. The Lakers must spend wisely to find the shooting and defense Luka needs to make LA a serious title threat.
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