Marcus Smart was among the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest offseason acquisitions. He was bought out by the Washington Wizards and signed with L.A. on a two-year, $10.5 million deal with a player option in the second season. The Lakers brought Smart in to improve their perimeter defense and overall toughness and physicality.
L.A. has been severely lacking in both of those principles for several years, dating back to the trade for Russell Westbrook back in 2021. And while Smart is a couple years removed from his days as a Defensive Player of the Year winner, he is among the most physical perimeter defenders L.