Former Celtics Star Set For Debut With Rival Team

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will be getting a late start to his 2025-26 campaign, but one of the team’s biggest offseason acquisitions is ready to make his preseason debut with the squad on Tuesday.

Head coach JJ Redick told reporters following Monday’s practice that guard Marcus Smart would make his Lakers debut when the team faces the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. The former Boston Celtics star had missed Los Angeles’ first three preseason games due to an Achilles injury.

Smart signed a two-year deal with the Lakers in July, two days after getting bought out by the Washington Wizards.

The 31-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Celtics, earning the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year award and solidifying himself as a fan favorite.

Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in June 2023 as part of a three-team deal with the Wizards that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.

The Oklahoma State product battled injuries during his Grizzlies tenure, playing in just 39 contests between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns before being traded to Washington in February 2025.

Smart averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 20.0 minutes per game across 34 contests last season with the Grizzlies and Wizards.