The Washington Wizards have reached a buyout agreement with guard Marcus Smart, who is set to join the Los Angeles Lakers, Afrosport reports.
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is expected to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers after clearing waivers. The proposed deal will also include a player option for 2026.
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
Smart was selected sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 2014 and was initially traded to the Memphis Grizzlies nine years later as part of a three-team trade involving the Wizards.
He found his way to Washington via another multi-team trade, which sent Marvin Bagley III to Memphis and Jake LaRavia to the Sacramento Kings, among others.
The 31-year-old, a three-time All-Defence First Team member, got to the playoffs in all his nine years with the Celtics, including reaching the NBA Finals in 2022 when they lost in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
Smart has been limited to 54 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, missing the postseason in that period with the Grizzlies and Wizards.
He has averaged 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists across his 11-year career, while shooting 38.8% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the 3-point line.
The Lakers, meanwhile, waived guard Shake Milton in order to sign Smart. The 28-year-old was acquired by Los Angeles from the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Dorian Finney-Smith and D’Angelo Russell trade last December.
Milton averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30 appearances for the Lakers, shooting 43.3% from the floor.
