Marcus Smart has only played 54 out of a possible 164 games since the Celtics traded him to Memphis two years ago. Smart, who signed a two-year, $11MM deal with the Lakers on Tuesday after reaching a buyout agreement with the Wizards, believes his injury woes are behind him.
“I still have a lot left in the tank,” Smart said during a Tuesday press conference, as relayed by The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
The Lakers used their bi-annual exception, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin confirms, to sign Smart for more than the veteran’s minimum. Smart calls the last two seasons of his career a “disappointment.”
“I’m very motivated,” Smart said. “The last two years for me was, in my eyes, a disappointment. Injuries kind of stopped me and held me back. But, like I told my wife and my family, everything happens for a reason. And it’s funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here and now it’s full circle and I’m here.”
The Celtics drafted him with the No. 6 overall pick in 2014, one spot before the Lakers — who worked out Smart — chose Julius Randle. Smart is energized by the opportunity to play for a team that he believes can win the championship next season.
“I think we stack right up there with the best of them,” Smart said. “And I think we can [compete]. Our ceiling is high. I think there’s no ceiling. I think if we all lock in and come and do what we’re supposed to do, we can have a real good shot at it.”
Luka Doncic was instrumental in convincing Smart to join the Lakers. Smart is expected to get steady minutes backing up Doncic and Austin Reaves.
“When you get a guy like Luka calling… checking on you, trying to see where you’re at, to see if you want to come join something special that he’s trying to cook up over here,” Smart said. “For him to say that he can really use my help, that meant a lot.”
The Lakers were in need of a perimeter defender and Smart, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, fits the bill.
“Just to be me,” Smart said of how he’ll impact the team. “Come in and do what I do and that’s [being] a tenacious defender, just bringing the intensity that I bring, my leadership, my basketball IQ, as well. But just being the pest that I’ve always been.”
As a Celtics fan I’ll always have love for Smart. His grit and hustle is motivating. He’s fun to watch… as long as he’s not shooting jumpers. lol
Was
Go rubbit somewhere else bruh
Crusty bruh get over it
No!!!!
Ya, just like smart
Nice edit, slick.
Ty bruh
Hopefully He bounces back. Luka is motivated hopefully LeBron is too.
Hopefully ayton too ! ( not a laker fan )
Bron, Knecht, Bronny & a lottery protected future 1st to Houston for Sengün & Adams
Bron & KD fit much better than Bron & Luka
Luka & Sengün fit much better than KD & Sengün
Sengun is on a great contract, not even the 25% baby-max. They won’t be trading him if they don’t have to.
And they certainly won’t be trading him for LeBron.
Can you please get this silly idea that LBJ wants to be traded or that the Lakers WANT to trade him? LBJ and Luka had exactly 26 games to try and mesh and went into the playoffs without a legit center asking LBJ to play that time for 40 minutes a game. Let Pelinka and JJ do their jobs and try to round out this team.
Now that is funny coming from a Laker fan.
I don’t see any Lakers fans on this comment thread.
sankara and his obvious bad trade to help laker’s post.
Sankara is a Hawks homer to a fault.
Interesting.
looks like he is stumping for the lakers.
I’ll here to submit my application.
You’d be the first one.
Can you please get this silly idea that LBJ wants to be traded or that the Lakers WANT to trade him? LBJ and Luka had exactly 26 games to try and mesh and went into the playoffs without a legit center asking LBJ to play that time for 40 minutes a game. Let Pelinka and JJ do their jobs and try to round out this team. AZ
LBJ ain’t worth chit so unless the lakers are sending 400 draft picks nobody is listening. NOBODY.
Right… LeBron James has no value…
It’s almost like some of y’all WANT people to question your intelligence.
He’s not worth mortgaging the future of any team for. He’s 40 years old.
A 40 yr old stat padding king who doesn’t play D. Worse, blames his team mates for all his short comings isn’t worth half of Sengun alone at this point. Nobody is gutting a squad for this overrated loser. Vet min or MLE to sell jerseys, different story.
Um houston ain’t stupid .. they gotta battle OKC ( w/ sengun , adams )
Too small
30+ years old
Worst, most undeserving DPOY of all time
Never had much of a tank to begin with
An excellent pick up by the Lakers.
Ofc he’s going to say that he has a lot left, but talk is cheap. We’ll see if he has more than flopping to offer the lakers.
Smart brings another leadership voice to counter Lebron. He’ll have a huge locker room effect on this Lakers squad.
I think he will start a lot of arguments between LeBron and luka and take Lukas side. It will torpedo this locker room…
If there’s no ceiling you’re eventually going to get rained on. Just sayin.
Smart has played with other great players without issue. I don’t see him as needing to be the alpha leader or somehow going to clash with LeBron. If they’re winning all will be well.
5 mill seems like a very limited risk. Hopefully he’s healthy. No one can reasonably say this was a bad signing.
What’s he supposed to say? I’m washed, can’t stay on the court. Possibly Boston know what they’re doing in the trade department. Recent history isn’t kind. I.T, Rob Lob, Smart not been the same since being traded. Jury out on Jrue and Kristaps. Kristaps should be able to get off from deep forever though. We’ll see.