Details on Marcus Smart's shocking exit from Los Angeles after stellar playoff performances
After only one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Marcus Smart decided to leave the franchise. His exit from Los Angeles came as a surprise to many, and there have been many conflicting reports about Smart’s decision to leave. Some of the reports hint that there was a fallout between him and the Lakers' coaching and management.
However, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the split wasn't due to a major fallout, but rather that Smart was simply ready for a change. Marcus Smart's move comes with an ironic twist, as he joined the team he had just knocked out of the playoffs in a gritty six-game, first-round series. He was on fire against Houston, averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game.
Smart actually walked away from a $5.4 million player option with the Lakers, choosing instead to go into free agency. On July 10th, 2026, Marcus Smart officially joined the Houston Rockets, locking in a two-year, $13 million deal.
Smart is back with head coach Ime Udoka, a duo that shared an incredible run during the 2021-22 season with the Boston Celtics. That year, Udoka coached the Celtics all the way to the NBA Finals while Smart took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. Because of the relationship they had already formed, Smart should transition smoothly into Houston's system.
Smart will be an important piece of Houston’s depth at the point guard position, as he is in position to be the primary back to the returning Fred VanVleet. Smart’s addition to the team provides another strong veteran voice that will help lead the team both on and off the court. On the defensive end, he will be a high-IQ, gritty perimeter defender. His high-energy defending should fit in very well with Udoka’s switching strategy.
Smart is primed to be the second unit’s primary ball handler. His high basketball IQ will be utilized to exploit the opposing team’s defense. Smart also has a lot of playoff experience, which is another asset that the Rockets will need if they want to make a deep push and be more competitive in the next postseason.
Although the reason behind Smart leaving Los Angeles after his stellar postseason performance is still slightly unclear, Houston will be happy to have added him to their roster. How big or small of an impact will he have for his new team?
