Marcus Smart Is Proving He Belongs in the Lakers' Long-Term Plans
When the Lakers brought in Marcus Smart this past offseason, there was plenty of curiosity and a fair share of skepticism. Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, came with a reputation for toughness, leadership, and high-impact defense-but also with a recent history of injuries and the natural questions that come with turning 30 in the NBA.
Now, a third of the way into the 2025-26 season, Smart isn’t just fitting in-he’s thriving. And more importantly, he’s helping the Lakers rediscover a defensive identity that had been fading in recent years.
This isn’t just a veteran stopgap situation. Smart has been a tone-setter, the kind of player whose presence shifts the energy in the locker room and on the court.
He’s brought grit, communication, and accountability to a team that needed all three. And while his box score numbers might not jump off the page, his impact is showing up in all the right places.
A Defensive Anchor in the Backcourt
Let’s talk about what Smart is doing on the defensive end-because that’s where his value has always started. According to Basketball Index, Smart ranks in the 90th percentile in isolation defense on the perimeter, 91st percentile in disrupting passing lanes, and 78th percentile in navigating ball screens. Those are elite numbers, plain and simple.
For a Lakers team that’s still working to shore up its wing defense, Smart’s ability to lock in on the ball and create chaos off it has been a lifesaver. He’s not just defending-he’s dictating.
He’s the guy barking out coverages, rotating early, and diving on the floor when the team needs a spark. That kind of effort is contagious.
And while the Lakers still need to find more athleticism on the wings to fully round out their defensive scheme, Smart’s individual brilliance has been impossible to ignore.
Steady Offense, Big Moments
Offensively, Smart is giving the Lakers exactly what they need from a veteran guard off the bench: stability, confidence, and timely shot-making. He’s averaging 10.3 points, 2.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 made threes in 27.4 minutes per game-good enough for sixth on the team in minutes played.
That last stat is telling. Expected to play a smaller role, Smart has instead become a staple in the rotation.
His willingness to shoot, especially from deep, has helped keep the second unit afloat when the offense stalls. And his ability to run the show in spurts has given the Lakers flexibility when staggering lineups.
He’s not trying to be something he’s not. He’s playing within himself, making smart reads, and hitting enough shots to keep defenses honest. That’s the kind of veteran presence championship-caliber teams need.
Hand-Picked for the Job
There’s also the Luka Doncic factor. The Lakers’ franchise cornerstone reportedly had a hand in bringing Smart to L.A., and it’s easy to see why.
Doncic thrives when surrounded by high-IQ, defensive-minded players who can take on tough assignments and let him focus on running the offense. Smart fits that mold perfectly.
It’s not just a good basketball fit-it’s a cultural one, too. Smart has always been known as a leader, and in a locker room with championship aspirations, his voice carries weight. He’s been through the wars, and he knows what it takes to win.
What Comes Next?
Smart has a $5.39 million player option for the 2026-27 season. If he keeps playing at this level and opts in, that’s a bargain.
If he opts out, the Lakers will have some decisions to make. He’ll turn 32 in March, and the injury history can’t be ignored.
But if he stays healthy through the season, a short-term extension-say, two years-would make plenty of sense.
This was supposed to be a short-term move. A veteran flier.
A depth piece. Instead, Smart is making a case to be part of the Lakers’ longer-term picture.
He’s not just helping the team win games-he’s helping define how they want to play.
And if he keeps this up, don’t be surprised if the Lakers decide he’s worth keeping around well beyond this season.