Veteran guard Marcus Smart is expected to decline his $5.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers to enter unrestricted free agency. League reports indicate he is likely to sign a new, longer-term contract with the Houston Rockets.
The move would end Smart’s tenure in Los Angeles after one season. He established himself as the team’s top perimeter defender, a crucial role on a roster built around the offensive talents of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. During the 2025-26 campaign, Smart started 54 games, averaging 9.3 points and 1.4 steals while consistently guarding the opposition’s primary scoring threat.
While his shooting percentages were modest, Smart’s defensive contributions were essential for the Lakers, who finished with a 53-29 record. His impact was particularly clear during the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, where the No. 4 seed Lakers defeated the No. 5 seed Rockets in six games. Smart’s defense was a key factor in limiting Houston’s offense throughout the series.
For Houston, acquiring Smart would represent a significant step. It would add a defensive anchor and veteran leadership to a young core that won 52 games but could not advance past the first round. The signing would also reunite Smart with head coach Ime Udoka, under whom he played during his most successful years with the Boston Celtics. The Lakers, meanwhile, would be left with a major defensive hole to fill as they look to build on their season.
