Latest news with #PurpleandGold
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Marcus Smart: Lakers have 'no ceiling' for 2025-26 season
Now that Marcus Smart is officially a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, they seem poised to significantly improve a defense that has been mediocre at best for most of the last four seasons. 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.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should Boston Celtics fans be upset that Marcus Smart will sign with Lakers?
On Saturday, July 19, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that former Boston Celtics fan favorite, Marcus Smart, had agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards. Charania also noted that Smart, 31, plans to sign a two-year $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, meaning he will join his former team's most bitter rivals. Smart left the Celtics in the summer of 2023, after being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a 3-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the TD Garden. Since leaving the Celtics, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has struggled to stay healthy. However, that hasn't stopped the Lakers from rolling the dice on a player who used to split opinion among the Celtics fan base. Shortly after the news of Smart's buyout and agreement with the Lakers emerged, the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast provided an immediate reaction. The hosts dove into what Smart could bring to the Lakers, why the deal makes sense for JJ Redick's team, and how difficult it will be for Celtics fans to see a former favorite now donning the Purple and Gold while trying to contend for a championship. You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Website:
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo fuels Los Angeles Lakers trade buzz after sitting with Pau Gasol at WNBA All-Star
Bam Adebayo might or might not join the L.A. Lakers (Image via Getty Images) A picture of Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo sitting next to Pau Gasol at the WNBA All-Star Game sparked speculation about a possible trade as the NBA offseason heats up. Together with the Los Angeles Lakers icon, the NBA player attended Saturday night's WNBA All-Star Game. Now, after the picture went viral, fans couldn't resist igniting the trade rumors, even though the encounter might have been a harmless coincidence. Speculation grows around Bam Adebayo as Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors gain steam after WNBA All-Star Game Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo has been the subject of several trade rumors this offseason. Additionally, he has also been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers after he was seen at the WNBA All-Star Game with Pau Gasol. The picture was shared on X and has triggered a frenzy of trade rumors. Bam Adebayo's closeness with former L.A. Lakers player has led many to wonder if there is more to the meeting than meets the eye. The timing is especially interesting because the Miami Heat player has been connected to trade negotiations with the L.A. Lakers. The rumor is further supported by the picture of Bam Adebayo wearing yellow trousers. Even if there aren't any obvious links between the two sides, it didn't stop the fans from speculating. This offseason, the NBA icon has received a considerable amount of interest from trade rumors, especially when it comes to the Purple and Gold. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Premium 3 & 4 BHK ( 1079 - 1829 ) from ₹72.03 Lacs* at Jessore Road Srijan Realty Learn More Undo As the Miami Heat are up for a pivotal summer, Bam Adebayo's future is a big worry. As the draft and free agency approach, this appearance has intensified speculation about a possible Heat-Lakers trade. Bam Adebayo in action for the Miami Heat (Image via Getty Images) Even though some Miami Heat supporters are anxious about a possible move involving Bam Adebayo, there is a possibility that nothing is actually going to happen. Pau Gasol has always been a supporter of women's basketball and the WNBA . On the other hand, A'ja Wilson, Bam Adebayo's partner, was starting for Team Clark in the All-Star Game. It is much more likely that they were just sitting together, given the overlap of events. However, one thing is certain: regardless of whether it's a random incident or a signal of some future trade event, the NBA offseason is anything but dull. Also read: Kevin Love reacts to three-team trade involving Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and LA Clippers Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Luka Doncic isn't acting as if he doesn't want to stay with Lakers
At this point in the offseason, the attention for the Los Angeles Lakers has just begun to shift to Luka Doncic and the contract extension he will be eligible to sign starting on Aug. 2. He can sign a four-year deal worth as much as $228 million, but he may instead opt to sign a shorter-term extension that would allow him to opt out in 2028 and then receive a supermax deal. There has been a bit of anxiety regarding whether Doncic will stay with the Lakers past this coming season, especially since they may not have a truly championship-caliber roster. They got veteran guard Marcus Smart, the NBA's 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, to agree to sign with them on Saturday after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, but they still need a little more help. Doncic reportedly helped recruit Smart, and as Dan Woike of The Athletic pointed out, the superstar appears to be acting like someone who wants to wear the Purple and Gold for a while. "While Dončić hasn't directly addressed his future with the franchise this summer — time he's spent in Europe putting together an all-time revenge glow-up — his actions behind the scenes crystalize why the Lakers are confident with how things stand," Woike wrote. "Dončić, according to league sources, had communicated his desires for a capable rim-running center, shooting help and defensive support. The Lakers responded by filling those needs with Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and, soon, Marcus Smart. "In addition to that, league sources said, Dončić has been an active recruiter for the Lakers this summer and helped secure commitments from Ayton and Smart after both unexpectedly hit free agency via contract buyouts. "The Lakers also posted an interview with Dončić on Saturday (taped during the season) that ended with him saying that he hoped his legacy with the Lakers would leave him known as 'the guy that brought championships to the city.' "All of it has the Lakers confident they're in alignment with Dončić in their plans to build a championship roster. "None of this is to say that Dončić was going to patiently wait for next summer or a talent-rich 2027 free agency crop for the Lakers to begin stacking their team. While Dončić and the Lakers understand their long-term flexibility needs, the short-term movement has, on paper, signaled a commitment to competing in the short term, provided some things break their way." Los Angeles landed Doncic in that stunning trade on Feb. 1 that sent out Anthony Davis, Max Christie and draft compensation. It signaled a shift in who the franchise revolves around, as it is now catering to Doncic after bending to almost every one of LeBron James' whims for nearly seven years. Despite persistent rumors that he may want to leave, James is expected to be with the Lakers once the new season starts, and possibly even beyond this coming season. Given that this could very well be his last season with them, they seem to have every incentive to try to win the NBA championship right now.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Writer proposes Lakers trade for former Defensive Player of the Year
The Los Angeles Lakers need a little more help in order to become championship contenders, and they know it. They reportedly want to improve their backcourt defense, and they may have to make a trade in order to do so, as they lack flexibility under the first apron of the NBA's salary cap. One report indicated that they have had some preliminary trade talks to inquire about the availability of Marcus Smart, a veteran guard who won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2021-22 season. Smart is 31 years of age and has been injury-prone, but he could be the type of suffocating defender L.A. needs, and he could also serve as a secondary ball-handler and facilitator. Jedd Pagaduan of ClutchPoints proposed that the team send guard Gabe Vincent, big man Maxi Kleber and a 2032 second-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards for Smart. Via ClutchPoints: "What made Vincent valuable for the Lakers last season was that he showed up for the majority of the season, suiting up in 72 games and providing some much-needed backcourt versatility for the Purple and Gold," Pagaduan wrote. "Giving him up for Smart requires the Lakers to take a risk and have faith that the 2022 DPOY isn't damaged goods quite yet. "That requires a lot of positive thinking, as the Grizzlies, the team that acquired Smart to be their de facto Dillon Brooks replacement, had to give up a first-rounder just so they could get his contract off the books. Smart hasn't been at his best physically over the past few seasons, picking up a knock here and there which added up to a ton of missed time "... There is a chance that the 31-year-old won't be able to return to his DPOY form, although even then, he would represent an upgrade over Vincent. ... But at the very least, Smart showed that he can still play solid basketball for stretches. His shooting percentages improved towards the end of last season when he was with the Wizards, and in LA, he won't be tasked to do much of anything other than to defend, hit open shots, and ruffle opponents' feathers. "The expectation for Smart should the Lakers trade for him would be for him to play at least 65 games, play 20 minutes a night, and act as a key piece of a Purple and Gold squad that aims to recapture the defensive heights they reached last year." Los Angeles is in a situation where it may not be able to be picky about the player upgrades it pursues on the trade market, given its limited trade assets. Smart has appeared in just 54 games over the last two seasons, but as long as he's available for the entirety of the playoffs, he may be a good player for the team to go after. This past season, he averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 20.0 minutes a game. He shot 34.8% from 3-point range, which was his highest figure in that department since the 2018-19 season. After spending his first nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, Smart has plenty of playoff experience, which includes five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and one appearance in the NBA Finals. That wouldn't exactly hurt a Lakers team that has gotten younger lately.
