The Los Angeles Lakers shook up their roster this summer, adding several new pieces in an effort to stay competitive in the West. One of the more intriguing arrivals is Marcus Smart — a defensive bulldog with nine years of Boston Celtics experience, but also a player whose recent career has been defined by constant movement and unfortunate injuries.
Since Boston sent him to Memphis in 2023, Smart has suited up for just 54 games over two seasons. A foot injury, then an ankle issue, kept him sidelined for long stretches, and his trade value dipped enough that the Grizzlies shipped him to Washington with a first-round pick simply to clear his contract. The Wizards didn’t even wait to see him in uniform — they bought him out.
Still, the Lakers are betting on his pedigree. Smart is expected to open the season as a starter alongside Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton, according to team insider Jovan Buha.
Marcus Smart’s Arrival Brings Experience, Questions to Lakers’ Rotation
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Brad Botkin of CBS Sports framed Smart’s current value bluntly: “Right now it feels a little bit more like name value than game value. Smart isn’t what he used to be, but he’s still a very good defender who can hopefully summon a late-career Rajon Rondo-like run for the Lakers. He’ll take some shots that will make Lakers fans want to vomit, but he’ll make some big ones, too. All of this is if he can be, and stay, healthy. He played only 34 games last season.”
Smart’s arrival has a ripple effect — particularly for second-year guard Dalton Knecht. Buha projects Knecht won’t crack the Lakers’ main 10-man rotation, largely because the team plans to keep a traditional backup center in the lineup. That choice squeezes minutes for wings, even ones like Knecht who flashed promise as a rookie.
The 24-year-old Knecht, who averaged over 26 minutes per game in November before tailing off late in the season, could find himself on the trade block if his role continues to shrink. The Lakers already had a deal lined up to send him to Charlotte before it fell through due to medical concerns with Hornets center Mark Williams.
For now, the Lakers are rolling the dice on Smart — hoping the defensive grit and competitive fire that once made him a cornerstone in Boston can still shine in Los Angeles. If he stays healthy and finds a rhythm, the gamble could pay off. If not, the Lakers may find themselves juggling not just rotations, but the trade market as well.