The LA Lakers are set to sign a former Defensive Player of the Year.
Marcus Smart is on the verge of signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, after agreeing to a buyout with the Washington Wizards.
The Lakers need to clear salary space, and are expected to make cuts to their roster in order to bring Smart in on a two-year $11 million contract.
Smart, 31, played for both the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards last season and is now looking for a fresh start.
Photo by G Fiume/Getty ImagesTough pill for Boston Celtics fans
NBA fans reacted with shock to the news the LA Lakers are set to add Marcus Smart to the roster.
Shams Charania reported: “Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers.”
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
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Charania also included a mock-up of Marcus Smart wearing a LA Lakers jersey.
Boston Celtics fan and broadcaster Bill Simmons reacted with extreme disgust to seeing a first glimpse of Smart as a Laker.
He posted on X: “Ahhhhhhh I’ve gone blind! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!”
Simmons had previously expressed his fear the Lakers could sign Al Horford, who is set to leave the Boston Celtics this offseason.
Horford’s future is unclear, but Brian Windhorst has claimed he is near to signing with the Golden State Warriors instead.
Marcus Smart made his name with the Boston Celtics
Marcus Smart was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2014, and played an important role for them as they tried to work their way up to contend for the championship.
Smart and the Celtics lost the 2022 Finals to the Warriors, and he was traded in 2023, as part of a deal for Kristaps Porzingis.
This paid off with the Celtics winning the title in 2024 without Smart, but what he did for the franchise to help them get there is still appreciated.
Now he is back with a title contender, and will hope to help the LA Lakers improve on their disappointing playoff efforts this past season.