Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic Plays Key Role in Lakers’ Marcus Smart Signing, Becomes A Recruiter in Lakers’ Backcourt Move

Luka Doncic reportedly influenced Marcus Smart’s decision

Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers have added Marcus Smart to the backcourt after the Washington Wizards cut ties with the point guard. The Wizards agreed to a buyout, and the Lakers quickly swooped in before other teams could act.

Luka Doncic played a crucial role in the signing of the point guard. Slovenian star Luka Doncic personally contacted Marcus Smart to open the door for the Lakers signing. He pitched an idea of the 31-year-old moving to California.

Marcus Smart liked the idea of pairing with Doncic and strengthening the Lakers’ backcourt rotation. The two never played together but battled often when Smart was with the Celtics and later with the Grizzlies. Luka Doncic was consistently guarded by Smart as a point-of-attack-defender.

Lakers star Luka Dončić made a direct recruiting pitch to Marcus Smart this week that resonated with the veteran guard, league sources tell @TheSteinLine, after Smart's agent Jason Glushon was granted permission by the Wizards to explore potential post-buyout landing spots. https://t.co/x30X5xOpMR
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 19, 2025

The 27-year-old was impressed by the grit of his opponent. And when he learned that Marcus Smart was exiting the Wizards, he quickly reached out to pitch the Lakers move. The Lakers front office quickly backed the move and finalized a two-year, $11 million deal with Marcus Smart.

Luka Doncic is now playing a central role in shaping the Lakers roster as the franchise’s future face. With LeBron James nearing retirement and also a rumored exit from the franchise, Doncic is set to take a more active role when it comes to the incomings.

Marcus Smart’s Fragility Worries Lakers Brass

Marcus Smart adds crucial backcourt depth to the Los Angeles Lakers side. However, his injury track record is a cause of concern. The 31-year-old has consistently been out in the past few seasons due to recurring fitness issues.

He has never played more than 20 games in a season since the 2022-23 season. In the previous season with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Washington Wizards, Marcus Smart played only 15 games. He averaged 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.