The Smart insurance policy Lakers desperately need is hiding in plain sight

Marcus Smart gives the Los Angeles Lakers a much-needed defensive identity, but he unfortunately can’t carry the entire defensive load alone. This is especially true with his recent injury history.

If the Lakers want to keep him healthy for the long haul, they need another defensive stopper in the mix. That is why they should take a hard, long look at Gary Payton II.

Payton is a forgotten free agent that could be a defensive lifesaver

Still sitting in free agency, Payton is exactly the kind of rotation piece who could take pressure off Smart from day one. He is able to defend multiple positions, play with edge, and already knows what it takes to win at the highest level.

Just take a look at his 2022 playoff run with the Golden State Warriors. It proved he is the kind of player who thrives when games matter most.

That postseason, Payton averaged 6.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals off the bench. He shot nearly 66 percent from the field and over 53 percent from deep, not as a volume scorer, but as someone who picked his spots, and made the most of every minute.

An epic game that should have Lakers fans paying attention

Payton II even started key games in the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals, holding his own against elite matchups. In Game 5 against the Boston Celtics, he tallied 15 points, five boards, three steals.

During that contest, Payton helped lock up Jaylen Brown on a night when the Celtics desperately needed him. The Warriors guard held him to just 5-18 shooting.

With Smart expected to take on top assignments, he is going to need some help. He played just 54 total games over the last two seasons due to ankle and finger issues.

Los Angeles will need to pace him. Payton is the kind of player who allows you to do that without sacrificing that kind of level of production.

Lakers already let one elite defender slip away

The Lakers already missed out on Josh Okogie, who's heading to the Houston Rockets. That was another elite defender who could have lightened the load. They can’t afford to make the same mistake twice, not with Payton who clearly deserves to be signed.

What makes Payton II even more appealing is that he has already worn purple and gold. He spent time with the Lakers earlier in his career before breaking out with the Warriors. Now, he is no longer a project. He is more proven and hungry for another shot.