One of the reasons veteran guard Marcus Smart decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers instead of one of the other teams that wanted him was Luka Doncic. Doncic reportedly communicated with Smart and made it clear he wanted Smart to come to Los Angeles,

NBA fans make their feelings clear on the Lakers' targeting Jrue Holiday even after they acquired Marcus Smart.

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.

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.

Heat Eyeing Warriors’ NBA Champion Defensive Guard After Marcus Smart-Lakers News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Heat have continued to strike out on key free agents throughout the 2025 NBA offseason.

A top trade candidate this offseason came off the board on Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to sign former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million deal following his buyout by the Washington Wizards,

Perhaps the claims that incoming Lakers guard Marcus Smart has declined, especially on defense, have been greatly exaggerated.