As of Dec. 15, Marcus Smart became trade eligible for the Los Angeles Lakers. Does that really change anything for the tenacious defender? Not particularly, no. Despite trade season being well under way, Smart should not be expected to go anywhere.
That was the message in the latest rumor mill round-up by Jake Fischer. The NBA insider revealed to everyone that Smart was drawing interest from the Milwaukee Bucks amid a desperate plea to get their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to stay in town. The Lakers have no interest.
Fischer wrote, "It's difficult to see the Lakers making him available A) after securing Smart on a favorable deal via the buyout market and B) when they have their own point-of-attack defensive issues.