Marcus Smart’s next stop is Houston, and the move strips the Lakers of one of their most dependable perimeter defenders.
Smart has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Rockets, with a player option for the second season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The signing also brings him back together with Ime Udoka, one of his former Celtics coaches.
Free agent guard Marcus Smart has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Houston Rockets, plus a player option for the second season, sources tell ESPN. The former Defensive Player of the Year reunites with Ime Udoka for significant opportunity in the Rockets backcourt. pic.twitter.com/NzfArD8zbF
- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
The Lakers leaned on Smart’s defense all season long. In 62 games during 2025-26, he started 54 times and put up 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He also posted strong on-off numbers, with Los Angeles noticeably better when he was on the floor than when he sat.
For Houston, it’s a clean addition. For Smart, the appeal looks pretty clear too.
He had already turned down a $5.4 million player option with the Lakers, so this new deal represents a small step up financially. The fit with Udoka matters as well, since Smart’s best years came in Boston under that same coach.
There’s also the basketball side of it. Smart may have looked at Houston and seen a path to steadier minutes on a roster that doesn’t have the point guard spot as settled. Now he gets a chance to bring that trademark edge to a Rockets team that could put him in the middle of major playoff matchups, including potential battles with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
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