The Los Angeles Lakers season came to a close Monday night in disappointing fashion as the purple and gold fell 115-110 to the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in four games. With Luka Doncic missing the entire series and playoffs, expectations were low as many felt his absence was a death sentence for LA.
It was expected that, without Luka, the Lakers would have no way to combat reigning and likely back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Funny enough, LA did have an answer for SGA. The answer didn't come in the form of a scorer either.
LeBron James had a very strong round two, but it wasn't him who countered Shai. Rather, the defense of Marcus Smart did. In the four games the two teams played, SGA averaged only 24.5 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting from the field. This is a major drop-off from round one against the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 33.8 points per game.
Smart was Shai's primary defender for the majority of this series and put one of the league's most unstoppable bucket-getters in a box nightly. The defensive masterclass Smart put on was not limited to this postseason. It happened throughout the regular season too. That should make him someone Rob Pelinka and the Lakers must bring back this offseason.
Marcus Smart needs to be a priority for the Lakers this summer
Smart did the impossible against the Thunder, making the best player in the world look like a shell of himself every time they were matched up with one another. Whether it was bodying him up with his chest, knocking dribble loose, staying on the ball and tight at all times, or forcing him to make tough passes late into the shot clock, he did it all.
There was talk going into the series that Luguentz Dort would be the best defensive player out there on the perimeter, but every single night Smart proved that was his title.
This offseason, he has a player option slightly below $5.4 million, and if he declines it, the front office needs to jump in a limo or on a jet and do whatever it takes to bring him back. All season, Smart was cast as the team's wing defender despite being 32 and 6-foot-3.
Just imagine how much greater his impact would be after they address the need for a true point-of-attack defender.
Aside from the defense, Smart's offensive production is also another factor in why re-signing him this offseason is so important. Smart wasn't the most consistent scoring threat throughout the regular season, but when has he ever really been?
What matters is the way he raises his play in the postseason. The Lakers wouldn't have jumped ahead of the Houston Rockets 3-0 in round one if it weren't for Smart and his 15-point Game 1, his 25-point double-double in Game 2, or his 21-point Game 3.
His ability to be a consistent playoff riser throughout his NBA career would bring significant value to LA next season.
With Austin Reaves' future in LA uncertain, the Lakers could have a hole next to Luka Doncic in the backcourt next season. Giving that spot full-time to Smart could be perfect. His 3-and-D playstyle fits perfectly with Luka and would allow LA's superstar to focus solely on playing his game.
If the regular season wasn’t enough proof, this playoff run should have locked in Smart’s future. If it didn’t, the Lakers are heading into a difficult offseason.
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