Celtics’ Hopes Of Marcus Smart Reunion Reportedly Get Dashed By Lakers

After a slow start to free agency, the Boston Celtics have seen themselves get linked to a couple of veteran guards over the past few days. They watched one target, Damian Lillard, sign with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week, and now, one of their former players, Marcus Smart, is reportedly set to land with the Los Angeles Lakers.

With Smart being a potential buyout candidate for the Washington Wizards, teams across the league were keeping tabs on him in the event he became available. Sure enough, it seems like the Wizards will buy out his contract.

Considering how Smart spent the first nine years of his career with Boston, he made sense as a potential target given his ties with the team. They also could use another defensive stopper in their backcourt after sending Jrue Holiday to Portland in a trade earlier this offseason.

However, the Lakers appear to have beaten the C’s to the punch. Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Wizards are set to buy out Smart, and once that becomes official, he intends to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with Los Angeles.

“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,” Charania shared in a post on X.

Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal in 2023, with that move helping the Celtics go on to win the 2024 NBA Finals. Injuries have largely limited Smart during his two seasons away from Boston, as he’s played just 54 total games since leaving.

Now, Smart appears set to fortify the Lakers’ backcourt, as they attempt to maximize their championship window before LeBron James calls it a career. Considering how Luka Doncic is largely a defensive liability, Smart’s addition would fill a serious hole for them.

As for the Celtics, it’s back to the drawing board once again, as the front office continues to try and walk a fine line of keeping their roster competitive while limiting their spending. After missing out on Smart, it remains to be seen where they will turn next.