NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers predicted to acquire $76,487,996 Boston Celtics star to bolster team around LeBron, Luka, and Austin and improve title odds
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, greets teammate Austin Reaves before an NBA basketball game with the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Image via AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
The
Los Angeles Lakers
entered the 2025 season with high expectations after acquiring Luka Dončić to pair with
LeBron James
. However, their early playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves exposed glaring roster flaws. Now, the front office is eyeing upgrades, and a surprising target has emerged: former
Boston Celtics
defensive stalwart Marcus Smart.
According to Bovada, the Los Angeles Lakers hold the second-best odds (+200) to land Smart, trailing only the Sacramento Kings (+150). With Washington likely moving on from the veteran guard, Los Angeles sees an opportunity to bolster its defense and add championship experience.
Why Marcus Smart Makes Sense for the Lakers
Despite limited playing time over the past two seasons (just 54 total games), Marcus Smart remains a proven difference-maker. His resume includes:
- 2019-20 NBA All-Defensive First Team
- 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year
- Key contributor to Boston's 2022 Finals run
The
Los Angeles Lakers
struggled defensively last season, ranking 18th in defensive rating.
Smart's ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses would immediately address this weakness.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, center, celebrates after scoring as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, walks away and guard Austin Reaves stands by during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Imagr via AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
As Matt John of Athlon Sports noted in the original report: "Smart is a former Defensive Player of the Year who helped the Celtics make multiple extensive playoff runs, including a run to the NBA Finals in 2022."
Lakers' Competition for Smart
While Los Angeles is a strong suitor, other teams are also in the mix:
Team
Odds to Acquite Marcus Smart
Sacramento Kings
+150
Los Angeles Lakers
+200
Miami Heat
+350
Dallas Mavericks
+500
The Kings' slightly better odds stem from their need for backcourt defense, but the Lakers' championship pedigree could sway Smart's decision.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
Potential Trade Package
Washington isn't expected to demand a hefty return for Smart, given their rebuild. The Lakers could offer:
- A future second-round pick
- A young prospect (e.g., Jalen Hood-Schifino)
- Salary filler (e.g., Taurean Prince)
This low-risk move would allow LA to retain flexibility for bigger trades while adding a proven playoff performer.
The Bigger Picture: Lakers' Offseason Strategy
Marcus Smart isn't the only piece the Lakers need, but he fits their timeline. Here's why:
1. Defensive Upgrade – Smart's tenacity would complement the offensive firepower of James and
Dončić
.
2. Leadership – His experience in high-pressure games would benefit a roster with title aspirations.
3. Cost-Effective – Unlike blockbuster trades, acquiring Smart wouldn't gut the Lakers' assets.
The Los Angeles Lakers' interest in Marcus Smart signals a pragmatic approach to roster-building. While he won't solve all their problems, his defensive intensity and playoff pedigree make him an ideal target. If Los Angeles can outmaneuver Sacramento, this move could pay dividends in their quest for another championship.
Also read:
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Might Sign $100 Million Brooklyn Nets superstar; Backups In Store Too?
For now, all eyes are on the front office to see if they pull the trigger.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
'A ring is a team accomplishment'- LeBron James goes down memory lane with the ring culture in NBA on Mind the Game
LeBron James via Getty Images NBA icon LeBron James needs no introduction globally, as apart from his great athletic prowess on the basketball stadium, the Los Angeles Lakers' star has a phenomenal brand value too. During a recent episode of the widely watched basketball podcast Mind the Game, LeBron James and Steve Nash discussed the ring culture in the NBA and even reflected on its origin in the basketball sport fraternity. Los Angeles Lakers' star LeBron James looks back at the ring culture in the NBA. In the recent episode of Mind the Game, LeBron James and Steve Nash spoke about the prevalence of ring culture in the NBA while responding to a question posted by a fan on X. A fan named Dustion Neilson's question about the popularity of the ring culture in the NBA compared than any other sport, the Los Angeles Lakers' star said- 'I wish we had a simple answer, man. Oh my goodness, I do not know the answer. I wish I had the answer to this, but I'm not sure, man. Um, it's funny. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know why it's discussed so much in our sport.' LeBron James & Steve Nash Answer Fans Burning Questions | MIND THE GAME While criticizing the ring culture in NBA, LeBron James mentioned- 'It's like you automatically dismiss people in their careers when you're just like, 'Oh, he didn't win a ring,' or 'He doesn't have a ring.' It's like, do you actually, have you actually sat down and actually, like, really looked at this guy's career and what he was able to accomplish, you know? You know, they, I mean Jerry West, I think, went to, like, nine straight NBA finals, right, and was only able to win one, and he's the logo of our league. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo ' LeBron James and Steve Nash even criticized the ring culture prevalent in the NBA. The rings clearly define the rich legacy of an NBA athlete. However, there have been multiple incredible players who have no rings to their name. LeBron James and Steve Nash even criticized the ring culture prevalent in the NBA. Also Read: LeBron James collaborates with RFK Racing Team to treat Akron student with great NASCAR experience Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
India.com
43 minutes ago
- India.com
Which Sports League Earns The Most? Top 10 By Revenue In 2025: NFL Leads, IPL Ranks At…
photoDetails english Updated:Jun 18, 2025, 05:14 PM IST National Football League (NFL) – 18 billion dollars/year 1 / 10 The NFL is the undisputed leader globally, thanks to massive U.S. viewership, multi-billion-dollar TV contracts (with CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN), and booming merchandising. The Super Bowl alone generates over $600 million. Major League Baseball (MLB) –11.5 billion dollars/year 2 / 10 With over 2,400 games annually, MLB earns big through ticket sales, media rights, and sponsorships. Deep-rooted American fan culture keeps stadiums and TV ratings strong. National Basketball Association (NBA) – 10.5 billion dollars/year 3 / 10 The NBA's global presence, especially in China and Europe, and star-driven branding push its commercial value high. The upcoming TV rights renewal is expected to further boost its value. Indian Premier League (IPL) – 9–10 billion dollars (projected in cycle) 4 / 10 The IPL is the world's richest cricket league and is growing fast. Its media rights deal (2023–27) crossed $6.2 billion, and the 2-month tournament rivals global giants in per-match value. English Premier League (EPL) – 6 billion dollars/year 5 / 10 The most-watched football league worldwide. International TV rights, global fanbase, and club-level merchandising drive massive revenues for clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool. National Hockey League (NHL) – 5.5 billion dollars/year 6 / 10 With strong North American support, the NHL earns through regional broadcasting, playoff intensity, and franchise deals in both the U.S. and Canada. La Liga (Spain) – 5 billion dollars/year 7 / 10 Home to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, La Liga benefits from global brand recognition. Broadcast rights and international partnerships fuel its earnings. Bundesliga (Germany) – 4.6 billion dollars/year 8 / 10 Efficiently run with high attendance and competitive clubs like Bayern Munich. Bundesliga maintains a strong TV presence domestically and abroad. Serie A (Italy) – 3.1 billion dollars/year 9 / 10 Revived by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and now growing through international media rights and local derbies. Still behind in marketing compared to other European leagues. Ligue 1 (France) – 2.4–2.8 billion dollars/year 10 / 10 Thanks to PSG's global brand and new foreign investment, Ligue 1 is rising. Revenue still trails others due to lower TV rights and less global exposure.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ice hockey-Canada's Stanley Cup dry spell stretches to 32 years as Edmonton flops in Finals
NEW YORK, - The Florida Panthers extended Canada's agonizing Stanley Cup drought to 32 years with a 5-1 win over Edmonton in Game Six on Tuesday, a second straight Finals defeat for the Oilers which left their fans devastated and players searching for answers. It was the eighth time a Canadian team reached the Finals but fell short since the Montreal Canadiens won the NHL championship in 1993. It was also the second Finals in a row that the Panthers beat the Oilers, who became the first team to lose back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals since the Boston Bruins in 1977-1978. Oilers captain Connor McDavid, arguably the best player in the league, said his team had given everything in the best-of-seven series. "Nobody quit, nobody threw the towel in," he added. "They're a heck of a team. They're Stanley Cup champions back-to-back for a reason. "Never really able to generate any momentum up the ice. We kept trying the same thing over and over again, banging our heads against the wall," he told reporters. "Still a lot of confidence and belief. I don't think people thought we were going to make it this far - we obviously believed. Came up just short again," added McDavid, who last year won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. From "the Great One" Wayne Gretzky to Mark "the Moose" Messier and "Mr. Hockey" himself, Gordie Howe, the proud sons of the Great White North have created ice hockey lore to last generations. The Canadian men's and women's teams have won 14 Olympic gold medals between them, yet the country's NHL sides continually fail to get their hands on the trophy. The Oilers had home advantage in the series despite an injury-plagued season but that mattered little to the Panthers, who won seven of their last eight games on the road. Goaltender Stuart Skinner, who got the nod over Calvin Pickard for Game Six, said the Oilers had to find out what went wrong. "We need to learn from this right away, right now. Letting it happen two times in a row is devastating," he said. Prime Minister Mark Carney struck an optimistic tone on social media, as he rallied his compatriots to keep faith. "Proud of the Oilers' grit. Proud of the guys for getting us to this moment. Heads high," Carney wrote. "Next year."
