Marcus Smart Lands With New Team After Declining Lakers Option

After days of speculation, veteran guard Marcus Smart agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Houston Rockets.

The contract includes a second-year player option, which will allow him to test the open market next offseason if he chooses to do so. The move links him back up with head coach Ime Udoka, whom he played under during his time with the Boston Celtics.

Smart elected to decline his $5.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers last week. He joined the Lakers last summer on a two-year, $10.5 million deal that included a player option for the second year.

After two injury-plagued campaigns, the 32-year-old proved that he remains a highly impactful defender while providing a significant boost in the backcourt in Los Angeles. His departure leaves a huge void defensively and in leadership.

In 62 games with 58 starts, he averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 39.5 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc. He played a large role in the Lakers’ playoff push, providing backcourt stability with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries.

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In 10 playoff games, he averaged 12.9 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 steals while shooting 39.4 percent from the floor and 34 percent from 3-point range in 34.5 minutes per game. It includes him putting forth strong scoring outings in the first-round playoff series against the Rockets that helped elevate the Lakers to the next round.

He posted a pair of 20-point performances, including 21 points, 10 assists, and five steals in the comeback overtime win in Game 3.