Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we look at Marcus Smart.
Whatever expectations the Lakers had when they signed Marcus Smart last summer were not only met but exceeded.
Through his gritty defense, vocal leadership and contagious effort, Smart quickly earned the respect of his teammates and fans alike. The veteran was everything his reputation advertised and the team needed.
Beyond his production, Smart’s impact and connectivity next to his star teammates also served as important proof of concept as the Lakers approach a pivotal offseason.
With the franchise expected to make significant changes this summer, Smart proved he can help contribute to whatever shape the roster takes if brought back. And if he’s not, he displayed how important having players like him can be.
How did they play?
Typically, 6’3” guards aren’t able to be defensive anchors for a team, but Smart is the exception.
Whether it was guarding up or down, diving for loose balls or stepping in for charges, Smart injected much-needed care into the Lakers’ defense.
It is no secret that the Lakers’ roster lacked defensive talent last season. However, there was a level of effort that Smart helped cultivate that ultimately got the most out of the group.
Even if the results didn’t equate to an above-average defense by the end of the year, Smart’s individual efforts deserve recognition.
Although much of his value comes from the intangible parts of his game, the numbers showcased how tangible his impact actually was.
The Lakers were a fantastic 8.9 points better with Smart on the floor this past season and allowed 7.3 points less per 100 possessions. Both are elite indicators of a player being a meaningful difference maker.
For as good and consistent as Smart was as a defensive tone setter, his offense waxed and waned.
Playing next to the likes of Luka Dončić , LeBron James and Austin Reaves, Smart was slotted off=ball more than ever before (72% of his makes were assisted on).
As a result, this put more of an emphasis on Smart’s perimeter shooting, an area he has historically been just okay at, which was the case once again. When removing garbage time, Smart converted just 33% of his 3-point attempts and 30% of his above-the-break chances.
While not as effective on offense as he is on defense, Smart showed how versatile and helpful he could still be.
Despite his struggles from the perimeter, Smart still found ways to be a spark on that end. His ball-handling, playmaking and downhill ability proved critical in the playoffs once Dončić and Reaves were ruled out. His knack for crashing the offensive glass also created countless extra possessions throughout the year.
What are their contract situations moving forward?
With a player option at his disposal, Smart can either opt into the remaining $5.3 million of his deal with the Lakers or opt out and test the market. After his strong year, there are expected to be plenty of suitors he can pick from.
At 32, Smart’s decision will likely come down to playing for a contender and/or landing a more lucrative deal than the one he currently has. The Lakers are uniquely able to offer Smart both.
With ample cap space and a clear role in place, a return may benefit both parties.
Should they be back?
If a new deal can be reached and is reasonable from both a financial and years perspective, the Lakers should absolutely bring Smart back into the fold.
Beyond checking multiple boxes on the court, Smart was also a successful case study of the type of players who succeed around Dončić and Reaves.
The fluidity and chemistry between the trio were evident as ineups featuring Smart, Reaves and Dončić had an incredible +22.1 net rating. For context, that was the best mark among all 3-man pairings last season.
In an ideal world, the Lakers could find a younger and better version of Smart this summer, allowing him to slide into a more appropriately sized role. Not only would this add more defensive talent and depth to the roster, but it would help Smart stay sharp and healthy all year.
Ultimately, it is not a guarantee that Smart would even want to return or prefer another opportunity elsewhere. But if he does opt to remain in Los Angeles, then the Lakers should be excited for a reunion.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
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