The Los Angeles Lakers are still anxiously waiting for the return of LeBron James, as he's set to make NBA history once he debuts this season with a record 23 years in the NBA. However, the team's future is in good hands, not only because of how Austin Reaves has looked this year, but also with how Luka Doncic has been through four games, averaging 41.3 points per game.

While Doncic and Reaves look to be a part of the team's plans going forward, there's a lot of uncertainty regarding the rest of the roster. With all this offensive firepower, the Lakers sought to balance that out by adding former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart this offseason. Over the weekend, Doncic shared what it's like being teammates with the hard-nosed defender.

Doncic Opens Up About Being Teammates With Smart

Speaking after the Lakers' 130-120 win over the Miami Heat Sunday night, Doncic praised the impact Smart has made early in his Lakers tenure.

"It's unbelievable impact, I've played against this guy a lot. He was always guarding me, so I know how it feels for the other team. I'm glad he's on my team, the impact he has, it's unbelievable," Doncic said.

In an offensive-heavy game, Smart made some big plays on both ends, knocking down three three-pointers and finishing with two steals and a block in the win.

"He's been hustling every game, every moment, every minute, every second, props to him," Doncic added.

Even though Smart has lost a step since his All-Defensive First Team days with the Boston Celtics, he still brings that hustle and intensity this Lakers team needs on the defensive side of the ball. The Heat entered Sunday's contest having scored 140 or more points twice already on the season, and the Lakers made enough stops to hold off a Heat road victory.

Smart was bought out by the Washington Wizards this offseason, after he was dealt there during the 2025 NBA trade deadline from the Memphis Grizzlies. He went on to sign a two-year, $10.5 million deal with the Lakers, looking to serve as the team's leader on the defensive end of the court.

Smart was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 with the Celtics and has earned three All-Defensive First Team selections across his 12-year career.

Looking ahead for the Lakers, they'll face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, who are 4-2 to start this season. Portland forward Deni Avdija has picked up where he left off last season, averaging 22.7 points per game to begin the year, and Smart will likely see plenty of action against him when the game tips off at 10:00 p.m. EST.