Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart’s tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies came to an abrupt end when he was sent packing before last season’s trade deadline. After one full season limited by injuries and then the trade to the Washington Wizards in February, Smart only played in 39 games with the Grizzlies.
The 12-year NBA veteran was traded in part to help Memphis clear cap space for an opportunity to sign Jaren Jackson Jr. to an extension. According to Smart, there was more to the story.
“I came back from injury, and I got traded because they said I didn’t want to be there,” Smart told Clutch Points. “I’m injured. What do you mean, I don’t want to be here? I’m here every day working my (expletive) off, cheering. I’m the only one on the bench coaching, but you know how it is. Control what you can control.”
Memphis acquired Smart from the Boston Celtics in June of 2023 in a three-team trade. Smart was brought in to bring a veteran presence to the locker room and provide a defensive presence that was missing after Memphis parted ways with Dillon Brooks.
Injuries limited Smart’s impact. He played in 20 of 82 games in his first season and averaged 14.5 points per game on 43% shooting. He appeared in 19 games and averaged 8.7 points on 35.8% shooting before being traded the following season.
Smart finished the 2024-25 season before agreeing to a buyout with the Wizards. He then signed a two-year deal with the Lakers.
Marcus Smart on Grizzlies organization
Smart was one of two Grizzlies traded at the deadline last season that eventually joined the Lakers. Jake LaRavia, who was traded to the Sacramento Kings, also signed with the Lakers during the offseason.
The LaRavia and Smart trades came just before the Grizzlies’ season went downhill. Memphis was a top 3-seed in the Western Conference in early February. Former coach Taylor Jenkins was fired in March, and Tuomas Iisalo took over as interim coach before being promoted full-time after the season.
Organizational issues carried over into the 2025-26 season when star guard Ja Morant voiced his displeasure with the coaching staff on Oct. 31, leading to a one-game suspension.
Smart said he feels “way better” now about how things turned out.
“You see what’s going on now,” Smart said. “That started with me.”
“I wish nothing but the best for them,” he later added. Those guys — they work their (expletive) off. But you could definitely see this coming, and now, this is what you get.”
Smart returned to Memphis on Oct. 31 to play his first game against his former team. The Lakers won 117-112. Before that game, Smart only had good things to say about his time in Memphis.
“Thankful to have an opportunity to be in a situation where things just didn’t work for us,” Smart said on Oct. 31. “They took a chance on me, so I’m very thankful for that.”
In 10 games, Smart is averaging 9.9 points, 3.2 assists, shooting 40.3% and 28.6 minutes.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.