Marcus Smart: Lakers have 'no ceiling' for 2025-26 season
Smart, who will be entering his 12th season in the NBA, is a tenacious, pesky defender who won the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year award and has been named to the All-Defensive first team three times. He's also a capable secondary ball-handler and facilitator, not to mention a resourceful player overall.
There is a feeling that even with Smart on board, the Lakers still aren't true championship contenders. But Smart himself said at his introductory press conference on Tuesday that the sky is the limit for the Purple and Gold.
"I think we stack right up there with the best of them," Smart said. "And I think we can [compete]. Our ceiling is high. I think there's no ceiling. I think if we all lock in and come and do what we're supposed to do, we can have a real good shot at it."
Over the last two seasons, the veteran guard played for Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards teams that were going nowhere after spending his first nine seasons on some strong Boston Celtics squads. But now, the 31-year-old will be suiting up for a Purple and Gold team that, at the very least, should make the playoffs and avoid the play-in tournament.
He has reportedly been working hard on his fitness and conditioning this summer, and he said on Tuesday that he's "very motivated" after dealing with injuries and lots of losing over the last two years.
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