Marcus Smart comments on his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a number of losses in the offseason, and while LeBron James’ impact can’t be replaced given his overall magnitude, perhaps the biggest loss will be Marcus Smart, who played one season for the Lakers, but served as a connector on both ends of the floor.
Smart opted out of his player option in the offseason, and while some signs pointed to Smart re-signing with the team, he ultimately decided to head to Houston, joining former coach Ime Udoka on the Rockets.
Speaking at Houston Rockets media day, Smart said the Lakers offer to him was “disrespectful.”
“First off, I played so well that the offer that was ultimately given didn’t match the way that I played,” he said, “especially when you see guys who played way worse than I did, the offers they’re getting. And then it wasn’t any security that we wanted that they were willing to do.”
The Rockets signed Smart to a two-year, $12.4 million deal. Smart’s player option was worth $5.4 million. It is unclear how much the Lakers offered Smart as an unrestricted free agent before he decided to go to Houston.
Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesSmart’s Impact
In his lone season with the Lakers, Smart averaged 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and three assists on 39% shooting from the field and 33% from three.
In the playoffs, he averaged 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 39% from the field ad 34% from three.
He served as a secondary playmaker and the primary defender. The team was much better with him on the floor than they were with him off as he had a +8.9 net rating, which was the highest number on the team.
He complemented all three stars with his all-around ability, especially Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both of whom will be returning this season. That trio had a +23.2 net rating in 434 minutes together.
Will They Regret Letting Smart Walk?
Not only did Smart leave the team, he left for the team they beat in the first round of the playoffs. The Rockets could’ve used someone like Smart in the playoffs, especially with Kevin Durant injured. He and LeBron completely flipped Game 3, a game Houston should’ve won, to effectively bury the Rockets and their championship hopes.
The Lakers added complementary wings such as Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes, and Ziaire Williams, but Smart was a natural and perfect fit on the team, which already had chemistry with Doncic and Reaves that will now take time to replace.
