The Los Angeles Lakers did not just add Marcus Smart to round out the bench. They brought him in to restore something the team has lacked since their 2020 championship run — a real, gritty, defensive identity.
Smart signing is a bold move that could rebuild LA’s defensive heartbeat
Smart, one of the league’s most respected perimeter defenders, joins L.A. on a two-year, $11 million deal after a buyout with the Washington Wizards, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move does not contain a big-time star.
But it does have the potential to become one of the most meaningful acquisitions of the offseason. That is especially true for a team that struggled last season to protect leads and contain opposing elite guard play.
Smart’s accolades speak for themselves. He was the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Defensive First Team selection. While that all sounds amazing, what is even better is that Smart’s value lies in the way he approaches the game.
Defense is not just something he does. It is who he is. Every screen he fights over, every deflection he causes, and every possession he pressures sets a tone. For a Lakers team that too often leaned on its stars to mask defensive lapses, that matters immensely.
It has been a long time since Los Angeles had this kind of perimeter presence. The days of Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope feel distant now, but with Smart, the Lakers finally get that edge back.
Unselfish role could make Smart the Lakers’ most valuable secret weapon
What makes the addition even more valuable is the role Smart is expected to fill. He is not there to start or dominate the ball; he is here to anchor the second unit, settle things when the game gets chaotic, and close where needed.
That is especially important when Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, two offensively gifted but defensively vulnerable players, share the floor at the same time. Smart’s ability to communicate and take on the toughest assignments will make him invaluable when games tighten up.
Yes, there are durability concerns. Smart has played only 54 games over the past two seasons due to injuries. But the Lakers are not asking him for over 35 minutes a night. They are counting on 20 to 25 quality minutes, ones that bring toughness and playoff-ready composure.
