Luka Dončić has fully established himself as a leader of the Los Angeles Lakers after recruiting Marcus Smart this offseason. The 5x All-Star played a significant role in signing the 2022 Defensive Player Of The Year.
Smart averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for the Washington Wizards last season. It was a strange situation for the defensive stalwart since he’d only played for contenders before this stint.
Injuries have hindered Smart’s performance over the previous two seasons, mainly his scoring, and signing with the Lakers gives him a chance to remind the league of his abilities.
From 2020 to 2023, Smart averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, with a high of 14.5 points per game in 2023. He has also missed significant time.
How Does Smart Improve The Lakers?
The moment Smart signed, he automatically became the best defender among the point guard rotation. Injuries have caused a slight decline on defense, but he remains an above-average defender nonetheless.
His versatility is one of the most important factors of the signing. During his 11-year career, he has adapted to both guard roles, allowing him to play alongside Dončić and Reaves in different lineups. The 6’3 guard has gotten into excellent shape, weighing 220 lbs, and his muscular frame effectively negates size advantages.
Integrating him into the offense is where difficulties are likely to arise. According to ESPN Stats, Head Coach JJ Redick made the Lakers attempt 36 three-pointers per game last season, and Smart has a career average of 32% from three-point range.
He will shoot at a high rate. During the 2022-23 season, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s system attempted 42 three-pointers per game, so Smart is used to a high-volume offense.
Smart’s Impact Long-term
The primary concern with Smart is his durability. He hasn’t played more than 60 games since the 2023 season and has undergone multiple surgeries.
Despite his injury history, the benefits of the signing cannot be ignored. Smart is on a team-friendly two-year, $11 million contract.
His mentorship is valuable for the younger players in the locker room, and his attitude towards the game contributes to a championship culture in Los Angeles. At 31 years old, he has time to help the Lakers chase a title for the next 4+ years, and he expressed his thoughts on joining the franchise during his introductory press conference.
No injuries were reported at the time of the trade, so he will be ready for training camp in September. The beginning of next season will involve him finding a role on offense and monitoring his health status. He is the primary point of attack defender for the foreseeable future.
The Lakers will reach a higher level if he can make an impact.
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