For Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year and playoff battle-tested leader, the move marks both a new chapter in his decorated career and a reflection of the growing magnetism surrounding Doncic in Los Angeles.

A free agency saga that began with a buyout from the Washington Wizards quickly pivoted when Doncic, the Lakers’ newly minted franchise cornerstone, reached out personally to recruit Smart. “[Luka] reached out, and I’m like, ‘yeah, whatever.’ And then another day, same thing… Now it’s real," Smart told reporters in his introductory press conference.

"When you get a guy like Luka calling… to see if you wanted to come and join something special that he’s trying to cook up…that meant a lot.” For Smart, who has spent years as both an opponent and admirer of Doncic’s rarified skillset, the chance to build something in Los Angeles alongside a player of Doncic’s caliber represented an irresistible next step.

Luka Doncic’s Personal Recruitment

Before this offseason, Smart and Doncic’s relationship was built on “mutual understanding and respect as competitors,” with each offering postgame praise after heated battles. Smart, who admitted initial skepticism at Doncic’s first overture, soon discovered the sincerity and persistence of the MVP candidate.

“It’s no longer what ifs. It’s real, and it’s something we need to talk about. That was a great feeling,” Smart reflected, crediting Doncic’s repeated efforts as a catalyst for his decision.

Smart’s arrival closed the loop on a months-long Lakers pursuit of a defensive lynchpin capable of elevating the team’s perimeter resistance. It also prompted immediate roster moves, with Los Angeles waiving Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin to make room for their new guard.

What Smart Brings—and What’s Next for L.A.

Marcus Smart joins the Lakers on a two-year, $11 million deal—adding an elite point-of-attack defender, secondary playmaker, and respected veteran voice to a roster aiming higher under Doncic’s leadership. After an injury-marred 2024-25 campaign split between Memphis and Washington, Smart is healthy and motivated.

“I feel very motivated—after injuries and a string of losses over the previous two years,” he noted, positioning himself as a difference-maker in a locker room aiming for a return to contention.

As Smart acclimates, the Lakers’ new guard-depth instantly strengthens both ends of the court. Smart, a three-time All-Defensive First Team honoree, not only brings championship DNA from his Celtics tenure but also frees Doncic from some demanding on-ball defensive assignments, potentially maximizing the team’s overall output.

As Smart put it succinctly, playing for Doncic in purple and gold “means a lot," and Lakers fans can expect this partnership to become a defining axis of their playoff campaign.