NBA: Marcus Smart agrees buyout with Washington Wizards and agrees to join Los Angeles Lakers
The guard is joining the Lakers having starred for the Boston Celtics for years.
Veteran guard Marcus Smart is on track to join the Los Angeles Lakers after finalising a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards.
Once he clears waivers, Smart intends to sign a two-year contract worth $11 million with the Lakers.
The agreement includes a player option that will allow Smart to potentially enter the 2026 free agent market when more cap space is expected to be available, according to reports.
A standout defender, Smart was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and has earned three selections to the All-Defensive First Team.
His arrival marks a high-profile addition for the Lakers, who are looking to build a championship-winning team next season.
All-NBA star Luka Doncic personally reached out to Smart, expressing a strong desire to team up with the defensive specialist.
Smart, who began his career with a nine-year playoff streak as a key figure for the Boston Celtics, hasn’t seen postseason action during his recent stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. His move to the Lakers marks a return to title contention.
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
Injuries have taken a toll on Smart in recent seasons. He’s appeared in just 54 games over the last two years and averaged a career-low 20 minutes per game during the 2024-25 campaign.
Last season, a finger injury on his right hand limited his time on the court.
Despite that, multiple contending teams pursued him. The Lakers, Suns, and Bucks all made strong efforts to land the veteran guard, and Smart was allowed to have discussions with all three organisations.
After losing Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers identified Smart as a critical need on the defensive end, particularly at the point of attack.
To finalise the deal, the Lakers will waive guard Shake Milton, whose $3 million salary for the upcoming season was on the verge of becoming fully guaranteed.
Milton, 28, arrived in Los Angeles in a trade involving Dorian Finney-Smith and D’Angelo Russell last December. In his time with the Lakers, he averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebound, and 1.3 assists while shooting 43.3% from the field in 30 games, including one start.