Report: Smart signing with Lakers after Wizards buyout

Marcus Smart has agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards and will join the Los Angeles Lakers once he clears waivers, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The 31-year-old guard will reportedly sign a two-year, $11-million contract with Los Angeles.

After Washington permitted Smart's agent to speak to other teams, Doncic personally reached out to Smart, hoping to convince him to join him on the Lakers, sources told basketball insider Marc Stein.

The former Defensive Player of the Year began the 2024-25 campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies but was shipped to Washington at the deadline in an unexpected cost-cutting move. He averaged a combined nine points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals with both teams, coupled with shooting splits of 39.3/34.8/76.1.

Though multiple injuries limited him to just 19 games with Memphis, Smart's on-court defensive rating of 105.7 points allowed per 100 possessions was the team's best mark by any player with at least 200 minutes last season.

Smart will likely bring a more defensive-minded presence to the Lakers' backcourt, balancing out the scoring provided by Austin Reaves and five-time All-Star Luka Doncic. He also helps make up for the loss of forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who was arguably the team's best defender last season but joined the Houston Rockets in free agency.