According to ESPN famous reporter Shams Charania, Marcus Smart reached a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards, planning to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after passing a clarification period.
From the Lakers' perspective, they signed Ayton for 16.6 million in 2 years and won Smart for 11 million in 2 years. The Lakers were crazy in the buyout market and got a free add-on.
On the macro strategy side, the electric fan was poached by the Rockets, and the Lakers lost the important 3D champion on the flank and an important part of the "Death Five Smalls", which is obviously not something that Laravia can make up for.
Considering that Reeves and Doncic have neither good at defense in their career reputation, and they were bullied by the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs this year - the Lakers' backcourt defense has been stabbed by 10,000 people, this is an open secret. The Lakers' strengthened their wings and outside defense are important tasks this summer's offseason.
The Lakers were able to win Ayton and Smart in the buyout market, and solved the two major problems exposed in this year's playoffs, and also ensured the flexibility of future salary space. The most important thing is that they did not pay any additional draft picks. The buyout market is free to get Ayton and Smart. This is the fundamental reason why the Lakers' strength has been improved in the new season.
Person won Ayton and Smart in the buyout market, sending a positive signal of targeted reinforcement. It is certain that the Lakers are really getting better than last season.
Although the Lakers won the super cost-effective Smart at a price of 11 million in two years, the key is to see how many successful Smart's defense and three-point shooting are left.
Smart has become famous for his defense. He was selected as the Best Defensive First Team three times in 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2021-22. He was elected as DPOY in 2021-22. His defensive skills and defensive qualities are unquestionable.
But he has suffered from injuries in the past two seasons: he only played 20 regular season games in the 2023-24 season, and suffered repeated ankle sprains and tearing the extensor tendon of the right index finger directly resulted in season reimbursement; in the 2024-25 season, Smart played 34 regular season games, and his ankle sprains were repeated for up to 7 times this season, and his defensive movement ability was not as good as before. His attendance rate and efficiency both declined, and he gradually became marginalized.
There is no doubt that Smart and Smart in the Celtics' 2021-23 season are completely two. He is now 31 years old and 136 days old. His age and injuries have seriously affected Smart's hard strength and his peak is no longer there.
Smart is like a lottery for the Lakers, and his status directly determines the effectiveness of this signing.
Smart can ensure health and attendance, and can provide the Lakers' critically needed outside defense capabilities, which is naturally the ideal situation; at the worst result, Smart is a 1+1 contract, which will not affect the flexibility of the Lakers' salary space in 27 years.
Essentially, the Lakers need to bet whether they can have a healthy Smart who has recovered at least eight successes this year and next two years.
Even if Smart is completely healthy, his three-pointer will be highlighted by the opponent's head coach.
Smart averaged 3-point shooting percentages per game in the last three seasons of the Celtics were 33.0%, 33.1%, and 33.6%, respectively. He was basically shorted in the regular season, and the lottery effect was about 1 out of 3 shots.
The unstable three-point shooting was also one of the reasons why the Celtics let him go. Smart was indeed able to provide top-notch defense and organize his ability to average 5+ assists per game for three consecutive seasons, but he was always resolutely let go by his opponents in the playoffs and even the finals.
Taking the 2022 Finals as an example, Cole unlimitedly shorted Smart outside the three-point line, freeing up his hands to hit the double Tanhua. The Warriors G4, G5 and G6 won three consecutive games. Smart made 7 of 17 three-pointers in these three games - even if he can make continuous shots, he will still be shorted. This top-level defensive lock on the outside is not regarded by the opponent as a space point with stable three-point ability.
Similarly, Smart's situation in the Lakers is actually similar to when Van Debiao and Reddish were on the court before. He can be prevented but as an unstable space point, he will be fixed and shorted by his opponent for a long time.
This fundamentally determines the difficulty of the Lakers in matching the formation. The three guards of Xiaoli + Doncic + Smart have a double colander + 1 unstable space point, which is not easy to use; when Ayton, James and Doncic determine the three starting positions, the connection segment Doncic + Smart/Reeves + Smart may be the best solution for the Lakers.
means that Smart is likely to play as a substitute, and Doncic, Reeves and Smart are better off in combination.
The Lakers got Smart with mixed joys and sorrows, but they are better than nothing. It is true that they have more cards in their hands and are more confident.
Happy is that he has found a treasure in the buyout market. The best defense team + DPOY three times is really tempting; he worrys that Smart has played a total of 54 regular season games in the past two seasons, and is affected by injuries, and his condition in the new season is unknown.
Happy is that Smart not only became famous for defense, but also had a hand-held ball as a side-initiated player. He has averaged at least 4 assists per game in 8 seasons in his 11 years of career. He is worried that he has a half-shot attribute, and it is normal to be shorted for a three-point draw. The Lakers must make emergency plans when Smart fails to make three-pointers.
Smart only needs 11 million yuan for two years. This price is indeed a reward for you. Smart's advantages and disadvantages are very obvious. It is true that the defense is better than offense and defense.
Smart is Doncic's recruitment target. From the perspective of the Lakers' management, as long as Doncic is satisfied and happy, they can contribute to the future cornerstone's future appointment, they are obviously willing to try it.
is better than nothing, after all, the Lakers' outside defense is really terrible, and Milton averages only 2 minutes per game this year and is not among the regular rotation. Thinking of it from another perspective, cut off the rotation margin and upgrade to Smart in this position. Although he is not in full health, the Lakers' rotation depth has indeed been improved..
The real meaning of the Lakers signing Smart is not in the actual combat effect, but in their actions, they signed Ayton and Smart in a targeted manner, and they did make clear improvements to the two major shortcomings of the inside and outside defense.
With an attitude, everything is easy to do.