When Marcus Smart agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers following a buyout from the Washington Wizards, the move raised eyebrows. But what truly turned heads around the league was who brought him to L.A.
It wasn’t LeBron James — the longtime face of the franchise and one of the game’s most influential players — but Luka Dončić.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, it was Dončić who made a direct recruiting pitch to Smart once the veteran guard hit the buyout market. “Lakers star Luka Dončić made a direct recruiting pitch to Marcus Smart this week that resonated with the veteran guard,” Stein reported.
It wasn’t just an endorsement. It was the kind of call a franchise centerpiece makes — the kind of call LeBron used to make.
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Luka’s role in recruiting Smart isn’t just a feel-good subplot — it’s the latest and most unmistakable sign that the Lakers’ power center has shifted away from LeBron and toward their 26-year-old superstar.
Smart had interest from contenders like the Bucks and Suns, but chose L.A. after hearing directly from Dončić. The move follows a pattern: LA have quietly tailored their roster around Luka’s preferences since acquiring him in February from the Mavericks — adding size with DeAndre Ayton, youth with Jake LaRavia, and now, veteran grit and defense with Smart.
It’s a shift that hasn’t sat well with James.
LeBron Left Out — Again
As ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst recently detailed, LeBron has been left in the dark on several major decisions — including the Dončić trade itself. LA reportedly didn’t notify James before dealing his longtime friend Anthony Davis. They also failed to offer him an extension this offseason, despite his opt-out looming.
By contrast, Dončić has been looped into nearly every step of the team’s retooling.
The message? Luka is the future. LeBron, despite his legacy, is no longer at the center of the Lakers’ long-term plans.
LeBron’s Subtle Exit Strategy?
James hasn’t publicly demanded a trade, but the signals are hard to miss. He’s been photographed in Cleveland wearing a “Welcome Home” hat. His agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN that four teams have reached out with trade interest. And while James opted into the final year of his deal, the lack of clarity from the Lakers has only deepened speculation.
If there was any doubt the Lakers are pivoting to Luka, that ended when he—not LeBron—closed the deal to bring Marcus Smart to town.
In years past, that call would’ve come from LeBron’s phone. Now, it’s Luka’s number players are answering.