The Los Angeles Lakers will give Marcus Smart a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. He made his desire to play for a contender clear (subscription required) as he requested a buyout in Washington. The former Defensive Player of the Year is now playing alongside two of the top ten players in the world on the Lakers. LA was the third seed in the Western Conference in 2025 and currently needs a stout perimeter defender to make them a serious title threat.
Bill Simmons doesn’t think this move will work, but Smart was the heart of the Celtics' defense for nine years.