Adding Marcus Smart was clearly a great move for a Los Angeles Lakers team that desperately needed a strong point-of-attack defender. But now that the roster is starting to take shape and the Lakers have a clearer sense of who will be in their rotation, one key challenge has emerged. JJ Redick has to figure out how to maximize Smart’s value on defense without letting his offensive limitations throw off the rhythm of a unit that will rely heavily on Luka Doncic to orchestrate.
There is no question what Smart brings on the defensive end. He can guard multiple positions, makes life miserable for opposing ball-handlers, and gives the Lakers a dose of physicality they have lacked in recent years.