Marcus Smart's biggest impact on the Lakers may not be his defense

The Los Angeles Lakers did not just need a defender this offseason; they needed more, they needed a jolt. Someone to turn up the volume, bring the edge, demand urgency, and bring a level of intensity they have lacked. That is why Marcus Smart is the perfect fit for this squad.

Marcus Smart's greatest values gives Lakers what they were missing

His resume speaks for itself: Defensive Player of the Year, deep playoff runs, a reputation for being one of the league’s toughest competitors, multiple all defensive teams.

His greatest value to the Lakers will not be measured in the steals or deflections he racks up. It will be in how he raises the emotional temperature of every moment he is on the floor.

Intensity is not something you can coach. It is not in a scheme or a play-call that you run. It lives in players like Smart, who play like every possession is personal.

The Lakers desperately needed that. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the way and the roster built around scoring and skill, the Lakers were missing someone who could set a tone with his presence alone.

Smart plays with urgency that just does not waver. He is able to challenge teammates. He can fuel crowds. More importantly, he does not just react to the game; he grabs hold of it.

That is why his addition goes beyond fit or stats. This is about attitude. He does not float through regular-season games or wait for the playoffs to show emotion. He brings it from tipoff to buzzer.

Even with age and mileage catching up, Smart still plays with the same ferocity that defined his early years in Boston. His quickness may have dipped, but the fire has not.

The Lakers are betting that fire can ignite something deeper in this roster, especially in games where energy, not talent, decides the outcome.

For a team that has often leaned on veteran calm and calculated stars, Smart adds a layer they did not have. He is a player who yells through defensive switches, throws his body into screens, and refuses to let the game slow down.

Intensity is not a stat, but it is contagious. And now the Lakers have a player who brings it every night, whether he is playing 35 minutes or 15. That could be the difference between a playoff team and an actual contender.