Marcus Smart was a fan favorite during his time in Boston. The former sixth-overall pick spent his first nine seasons with the Celtics and was recognized for his defensive prowess, making the NBA’s All-Defensive 1st Team three times and winning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022.
Known for his grit, hustle, and willingness to take on any defensive assignment, Smart embodied the blue-collar mentality that Boston fans have long admired.
Since leaving Boston after the 2022-23 season, Smart has struggled to stay healthy and has appeared in only 54 games across two seasons, split between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Washington Wizards. Injuries have slowed him down, but when healthy, his defensive presence and veteran leadership have still made an impact.
According to ESPN, the 31-year-old guard has joined a new team this offseason, agreeing to a two-year, $11 million deal with the Celtics' hated rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.
For some reason, there is a trend of Celtics’ guards playing for the Lakers late in their careers. Smart joins a small but notable list of former Celtic backcourt players who ended up in Los Angeles, including four-time All-Star and 2008 NBA champion Rajon Rondo and 2010 first-round pick Avery Bradley.
Marcus Smart Will Not Find the Championship Contender He Was Hoping for in LA
While Smart should play a sizable role for the Lakers, they are far from championship contention. Many teams in the Western Conference have gotten significantly better this offseason.
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder remain a powerhouse, the young Houston Rockets continue to rise, and the Clippers—just across the hall at Crypto.com Arena—have bolstered their lineup. Meanwhile, the Lakers signed former first-overall pick Deandre Ayton and wing depth in Jake LaRavia.
In the later stages of his career and after two injury-riddled seasons, it’s safe to say Marcus Smart has already played his best basketball.
While Smart may provide veteran leadership and defensive toughness, the Lakers face a crowded Western Conference full of contending teams. For a player looking to end his career on a high note, the path to deep playoff success in L.A. may prove more difficult than expected.