The Los Angeles Lakers are adding veteran guard Marcus Smart on a two-year, $11 million deal, but cap constraints remain a factor as the team finalizes its offseason roster.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Lakers sit just $909,000 below the NBA’s first apron and will need to clear additional salary to use the $5.1 million biannual exception. This leaves the front office little flexibility to pursue further signings without additional moves.
Marks also noted that Shake Milton’s $3 million salary becomes fully guaranteed on Sunday, while Jordan Goodwin’s $2.3 million deal only has $25,000 guaranteed. Waiving Milton is expected to be the next step to open space for Smart’s arrival.
Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, finalized a buyout with the Washington Wizards before agreeing to join the Lakers. The contract includes a player option for the 2026–27 season, giving the 31-year-old guard control over his future as the cap landscape shifts in 2027.
Sources close to the situation said Luka Doncic played a pivotal role in recruiting Smart to Los Angeles. The Slovenian superstar personally reached out to the veteran guard to sell him on joining the Lakers’ retooled backcourt.
Injuries have limited Smart to just 54 games over the past two seasons, but he remained one of the most sought-after guards on the market, drawing interest from the Suns and Bucks as well before choosing Los Angeles.
