The Los Angeles Lakers ended the 2024-25 regular season as the 17th-ranked defense in the NBA. JJ Redick struggled to find a balance with his disjointed roster, which often led the Lakers to endure some difficult defensive stretches.
Therefore, Rob Pelinka could look to add some defensive-minded talent this summer. After all, the Lakers have gotten considerably younger since the start of the offseason. Another veteran presence, especially one with a defensive background, could be exactly what the franchise needs.
In a recent article for ClutchPoints, Jedd Pagaduan proposed a trade that would send 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, to Lakerland. The proposed deal would look like this:
Los Angeles Lakers Get: Marcus Smart
Washington Wizards Get: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and a 2032 second-round pick.
“There is a chance that the 31-year-old won’t be able to return to his DPOY form, although even then, he would represent an upgrade over Vincent,” Pagaduan wrote. “But it’s not quite clear if the Lakers could afford to play it safe with Smart by giving him occasional rest days and not overworking him. LA may not have such luxury, especially if they’re trading away a valuable bench piece in Vincent in the process.”
Smart, 31, is in the final year of his current contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Therefore, trading for him now would ensure there’s minimal risk from the Lakers’ side. If he struggles, they can let him walk next summer. If he thrives, they can look to re-sign him for what could be the final years of his career.
Smart’s Recent Injury Issues Are a Concern
Since Smart left the Boston Celtics, he’s struggled to stay on the court. He spent the 2023-24 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but managed just 20 games in what was an injury-hit season, both for himself and the franchise as a whole.
Then, in the 2024-25 season, Smart split his time between Memphis and the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, a return to the Eastern Conference failed to keep him on the floor. He played in 34 games, starting seven.
If Smart were to land in Los Angeles, Redick would need him healthy and on the court. However, given his all-action style of play, there’s no guarantee he could sustain a full season. Still, Smart is a proven commodity, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. He would bring significant experience without the need to dominate the ball.
Nevertheless, the Lakers would need to feel confident that his injury issues are behind him if they were to pursue a trade for the former Celtic.
Lakers Also Tracking Smart’s Former Teammate
According to Marc J. Spears, the Lakers and two teams from the Eastern Conference have expressed interest in adding 2024 championship big man Al Horford. The veteran big man shared the court with Marcus Smart for multiple years during their tenures in Boston.
“Golden State, obviously, expected him to sign last week. He didn’t,” Spears said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on July 14. “Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table…He’s still considering retiring; he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. But I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and to a lesser extent the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”
Horford is widely expected to land with the Golden State Warriors. However, the Lakers could be an enticing option for the veteran center. In truth, though, Horford doesn’t fit the rim-running prototype the Lakers are looking to add to the rotation. As such, Pelinka will likely pass on bringing the former Celtics champion to the Crypto.com arena next season.
