New Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart reportedly gave back $6.8 million in his buyout with the Washington Wizards.

The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 14 players under contract and are just under the first apron threshold, where they are hard-capped, after adding Marcus Smart and waiving both Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin.

Veteran guard Marcus Smart will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after receiving a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Earlier Sunday, Los Angeles waived 28-year-old guard Shake Milton, who spent 30 games with the Lakers in 2024–25 after being acquired from the Nets. Milton's $3 million salary was set to become guaranteed before the move, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Marcus Smart is projected to join the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup, assuming he does in fact sign a contract as expected, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha.

Luka Doncic reportedly helped recruit Smart to the Lakers. In addition, a clip from "The Old Man & the Three" podcast has been unearthed where Lakers coach JJ Redick had some glowing things to say about the former Defensive Player of the Year. In the clip, which is from 2020, Redick said that Smart is the type of player he would want on his team.