Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart revealed head coach JJ Redick told him to just be himself in their early conversations.

Lakers Star LeBron James Is Facing Backlash After Marcus Smart's Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Marcus Smart recently signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing that team a level of experience and backcourt expertise that they need. But before he agreed to terms with them, multiple other squads were looking at Smart.

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to straddle the fence between building for a future with Luka Dončić and trying to win now with a core of Dončić and LeBron James. Also caught in the middle is 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht.

Heat Eyeing Warriors’ NBA Champion Defensive Guard After Marcus Smart-Lakers News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Heat have continued to strike out on key free agents throughout the 2025 NBA offseason.

Luka Dončić is evidently a playmaker on and off the court. Bringing Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Lakers was a team effort, one in which Dončić played a meaningful role. On Tuesday, Smart spoke with reporters for his introductory Lakers news conference and credited the recruiting efforts of Dončić as one reason why he's in Los Angeles after reaching a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards.

Perhaps the claims that incoming Lakers guard Marcus Smart has declined, especially on defense, have been greatly exaggerated.