A lot has changed in the Western Conference in one week with CP3, Beal, Lillard, and Smart signing new deals. All the latest intel from Summer League, including notes on the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Celtics, Suns, and much more on @ClutchPoints: https://t.co/W49u9TBgrY— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 21, 2025
FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:
Why Marcus Smart chose Lakers
It was inevitable that the Lakers would make a big move this offseason. Aside from all the drama and rumors surrounding LeBron James, Los Angeles had made it a point of emphasis to find a defensive-minded perimeter player after signing Deandre Ayton and losing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency. That is why Smart became their top option.
When the Grizzlies traded Smart to the Washington Wizards before the trade deadline in February, the assumption was that the former Defensive Player of the Year would finish his contract with the rebuilding organization, especially since there were no talks of a buyout during the 2024-25 season. The Lakers also inquired about Smart when he was still on the Grizzlies, sources said.
However, Smart had made it clear to the Wizards in recent weeks that he wanted the opportunity to play meaningful basketball for a team in a playoff position. Washington had reached out to a few teams recently about including Smart in a trade, but it became clear there wasn’t a realistic path to trading him.
As a result, the two sides reached a buyout agreement that is about equal to the $5 million he will get in Los Angeles during the 2025-26 season, team sources said. The second year of his new deal in Los Angeles will contain a player option, which allows Smart to become a free agent again next summer.
The main reason Smart chose the Lakers over other teams pursuing him, which included the Bucks and Suns, is because of Luka Doncic. Smart was very interested in joining the Suns, sources said. But when Doncic made a strong pitch to the 31-year-old, he ultimately elected to join the Lakers instead.
To sign Smart, the Lakers decided to waive Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin. The expectation was that the Lakers would waive Milton, regardless of whether they had a deal lined up for Smart or not, but Goodwin was a different story.
Los Angeles truly valued Goodwin’s demeanor and contributions, which is why the team explored trade avenues to free up extra cap space utilizing their expiring contracts over the last week, sources said. Teams knew of Los Angeles’ intentions, and there was not much interest in dealing with the Lakers unless draft picks were involved. No trade ever came close for the Lakers.
Goodwin is now expected to see several playoff-contending teams interested in his services.
Both Ayton and Smart are two players Doncic pinpointed as players he wanted Los Angeles to pursue this offseason. This is now Luka’s team and no longer LeBron’s, which is why there continues to be a lot of buzz about what the future holds for the league’s all-time leading scorer.
LeBron won’t be bought out of his contract, nor does it appear as if he will be traded. Nobody really knows what will happen with James, but there was a growing belief during Summer League that the upcoming 2025-26 season could be it for him. Time will tell what LeBron will decide, as he would make a formal announcement before training camp if this were to be his “farewell season.”
Would have preferred to Waive & Stretch Kleber or just buy him out to losing Goodwin….
There are several reports that the Lakers believe both Vanderbilt and Kleber are going to be important rotation players.
Vanderbilt will probably get his final shot at proving he can be the wing defender we already had that we did not need to trade for. Hopefully, we’ll pull off a trade for a starting small forward before the season if not before the deadline. Love to see Vando work but doubtful. If he can work, it will be with Luka, LeBron, & Austin imo.
Kleber will probably get his final shot at proving he can be the stretch big we need in our offensive repertoire. I would not mind keeping him. We’re going to play lots of teams with double big lineups. Maxi has the size and mobility to be our stretch five. I would love to see that. He gives us versatility at the five.