It’s official, Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers officially cooked during the offseason. Especially after news broke that they would be signing former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart for just $5.5 million next season. He’ll help solve the hole left by Dorian Finney-Smith, who peaced out and left for the Houston Rockets.
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
He was the Lakers best defender, and many questioned how they would be able to get stops next season. Adding Smart, who can defend guards and wings alike, should help solve that, even if he has struggled to stay healthy over the last couple of seasons.
A potential drop-off in lateral quickness could easily be made up with his grit and toughness, as well as the Lakers big front line. Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and DeAndre Ayon form a formidable front line. That, paired with good defenders such as Smart and Jake LaRavia, should be solid on that end of the floor.
After going months without a starting-caliber center, the Lakers finally landed one when they signed Ayton. Ayton is a polarizing player, but one that the Lakers desperately needed.
The Los Angeles Lakers suddenly look like contenders
Luckily for the Lakers, the Portland Trail Blazers waived Ayton. That came as a shock to many, considering he was the number one overall pick back in 2018.
While he hasn’t lived up to expectations, he is still a starting center who managed to average 14 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season. Hopefully, for the Lakers’ sake, he can be at least as productive next season. He may be even more productive while playing alongside elite passers Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
A healthy and locked-in Dončić alone should dramatically improve the Lakers’ ceiling. And the team adding cheap rotation players will help them next season and going forward.
Pelinka has clearly prioritized cap space for 2026 and added very little salary; preserving that option gives the Lakers the chance to add max-level talent. That would give them the opportunity to retool around Doncic and move on from LeBron.
In the meantime, they now have a solid 10-man rotation, with Adou Thiero and Bronny James having the potential to crack the rotation or provide useful spot minutes.
Overall, the Lakers’ addition of Smart helps to solve a big roster flaw. He, combined with the addition of Ayton on cheap deals, suddenly makes the Lakers look much more like a contender.
