The Los Angeles Lakers are betting on toughness, IQ, and championship DNA, and GM Rob Pelinka believes Marcus Smart brings all three. In a recent statement following the official signing of the veteran guard, Pelinka called Smart a “championship-level difference maker,” praising the former Defensive Player of the Year’s leadership and winning mentality.
“Adding a player like Marcus Smart to our roster allows us to compete at the highest level. Marcus epitomizes what it means to prioritize winning above all else, whether that’s making huge plays on the defensive end or hitting critical shots in key moments of the most intense games.”
“He knows and understands playoff winning and will be a key leadership voice in our group. Surrounding our stars with two-way players like Marcus is critical to our overall vision of how we want to play and win next season.”
Smart joins the Lakers on a mission. After stints with the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and, most recently, a short run with the Washington Wizards, the veteran guard is embracing the Lakers’ culture and expectations, even if it means stepping into enemy territory.
As a former Celtic, Smart knows the boos will be deafening when he returns to Boston in purple and gold.
Smart has already been in touch with Luka Doncic, who reportedly played a big role in helping recruit him alongside the front office. Although he hasn’t yet spoken with LeBron James, Smart made it clear he’s thrilled to play with two of the game’s highest basketball IQs.
Despite being limited to just 54 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, Smart is reportedly working hard on his conditioning and overall health.
According to a Lakers insider, Smart’s offseason focus has been laser-sharp, and the team expects him to be a defensive anchor and emotional leader in their revamped backcourt. His addition provides not just on-court versatility but also a much-needed intensity and voice that the Lakers lacked at times last season.
To make room for Smart’s arrival, the Lakers waived guards Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin. Those decisions were not easy, but Pelinka had a clear plan, and it’s beginning to take shape.
After initially being criticized for letting Dorian Finney-Smith slip away, Pelinka has flipped that narrative by turning that one loss into three key acquisitions: a starting-caliber center in Deandre Ayton, a young wing in Jake LaRavia, and a tenacious backcourt defender and leader in Smart.
With a core of LeBron, Luka, Ayton, and now Smart, the Lakers are building a lineup that can both score and defend at an elite level. And in Marcus Smart, Rob Pelinka believes they’ve added the missing ingredient, grit, edge, and the heart of a winner.
