Veteran guard Marcus Smart has finalized a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and is expected to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources say.
The deal includes a player option for the 2026–27 season, allowing Smart the flexibility to test free agency again in 2027, when several teams are projected to have significant salary cap space.
According to sources close to the situation, the defensive specialist’s move to the Lakers was partly influenced by superstar Luka Doncic, who personally contacted Smart in an effort to recruit him to Los Angeles.
Doncic, who has long admired Smart’s defensive tenacity and leadership, played a key role in persuading the 31-year-old to join the team’s revamped backcourt.
Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics, where he made the playoffs every year.
Known for his grit, defensive versatility, and vocal leadership, he was a cornerstone of Boston’s recent success, including their 2022 Finals run.
However, injuries have hampered his availability in recent years, limiting him to just 54 games combined over the past two seasons.
Despite his recent injury history, Smart remained a coveted target in free agency. In addition to the Lakers, both the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks aggressively pursued him.
The Wizards, who acquired the veteran guard earlier in the offseason as part of a multi-team trade, granted him permission to speak with other teams while working toward the buyout agreement.
To make room for Smart on the roster, the Lakers are expected to waive guard Shake Milton, whose $3 million contract for the upcoming season would have become fully guaranteed this Sunday.
By moving off Milton and adding Smart, the Lakers are bolstering their perimeter defense and veteran leadership as they look to contend in the competitive Western Conference.
The former Celtic’s arrival brings playoff experience and a strong locker room presence to a Lakers team aiming to return to championship contention.
The move signals the team’s continued focus on surrounding Doncic with high-IQ, battle-tested veterans who can complement his offensive brilliance.
Marcus Smart Agrees To Two-Year, $11M Deal With Lakers After Buyout With Wizards https://t.co/V0oX9N1cZ1
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 19, 2025
