Marcus Smart received calls from Luka Doncic that made him reconsider his future after a buyout from the Washington Wizards. Initially skeptical, Smart acknowledged a mutual understanding with Doncic built on respect over past encounters. Eventually, he signed a two-year deal worth $11 million, influenced by Doncic's outreach and the prospect of teaming with LeBron James. Smart is known for his defensive skills, having been named NBA's Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Defensive first team member three times, addressing the Lakers’ need for perimeter defense.
A call came from Luka Doncic a couple of times, at first making Marcus Smart think it wasn't true and then eventually making him believe that Doncic was a Lakers salesman.
Smart, who signed a two-year deal for $11 million with the Lakers, with a player option for the second season, smiled as he told the stories during his introductory news conference.
The Lakers were in need of a point-of-attack perimeter defender such as Smart, especially with Dorian Finney-Smith going to Houston.
Knowing that Doncic and James are "two greats with [the] greatest basketball IQs that I've ever seen in this era" made it easy for Smart to become their teammates.
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