Rockets’ Marcus Smart Takes Shot at ‘Disrespectful’ Lakers Offer

Marcus Smart criticized the Los Angeles Lakers' free agency contract proposal, describing it as disrespectful after opting to leave the team. The 32-year-old guard subsequently signed a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Houston Rockets, which includes a player option for the second year.

Smart stated that the Lakers' offer lacked desired security and did not reflect his level of play during the 2025-26 season. His move to Houston enables him to play closer to family in Texas and reunites him with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, under whom he previously won Defensive Player of the Year with the Boston Celtics.