The Los Angeles Lakers signed Marcus Smart after Luka Doncic reached out to convince him, and the veteran guard instantly proved the superstar right in his first game back from injury. Doncic knew Smart was an impactful perimeter defender and leader his team desperately needed. The 31-year-old has significant injury questions, but it doesn’t take him long to impact the game when he is on the floor.
Los Angeles needed some stout point of attack defense against the Spurs in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, so they turned to Smart. His strength, basketball IQ, and ability to guard multiple positions made an immediate impact.