Latest news with #ShamsCharania
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grading Marcus Smart's $11 million Lakers contract
The post Grading Marcus Smart's $11 million Lakers contract appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following the free agent signings of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, the Los Angeles Lakers seemingly had another roster move to make. With the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers were in need of a consistent 3&D player. While LaRavia expressed interest in filling that role during his introductory press conference, it appears the Lakers have their man in agreeing to a contract with Marcus Smart. Marcus Smart will reportedly join the Lakers roster after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards. Smart will sign a two-year, $11 million deal as per Shams Charania of ESPN. While the Lakers will still need to make a couple of roster moves to fit Smart's deal under the salary cap, this was one of the best outcomes the Lakers could have hoped for. With the Wizards in a youth movement, Smart always seemed a probable buyout candidate. For the Lakers, who had obvious needs up front and in the backcourt this offseason, being patient paid off in a big way for them. Instead of rushing to make moves, the Lakers sat back and saw Ayton and Smart fall into their lap. And that's a credit to the front office, who have been under pressure to make contending moves. But nevertheless, here's a grade and breakdown of the Lakers agreeing to sign Smart. Lakers to sign Marcus Smart While Smart might not be the tallest guard out there, he's made up for it with his tenacity on the defensive end. He's able to guard multiple positions due to his strength and defensive instincts. And he's the only guard who's won the Defensive Player of the Year Award since Gary Payton in 1996. Smart can excel in different ways defensively including his ability to switch and to be the primary point of attack defender. For that reason, it's possible that Smart could be an option to start alongside Austin Reaves in the backcourt. That would likely mean LeBron James and Luka Doncic are the starting forwards with Rui Hachimura moving to the bench. The Lakers starting lineup needs a jolt of defense and that's what Smart brings. Smart split last season between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Wizards after being moved in a trade. During the second half of last season, he appeared in 15 games for the Wizards at a little over 18 minutes per game. He averaged 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals with splits of 44 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent shooting from the three-point line. One big knock on Smart the past couple of seasons though has been his durability. He played only 34 games last season and only 20 games in 2023-24. Obviously the Lakers are operating under the assumption he can stay healthy. But aside from his injury woes the past few years, this was the best the Lakers were going to get without making a trade. This was a slim pickings free agent market with most of the marquee names not in any danger of leaving their home teams. And for a team that little at their disposal in terms of free agent money to begin with, the Lakers have had a very strong offseason. As mentioned before though, much hinges on Smart's health which hasn't been all that great recently. That's the only reason why this move doesn't get an A. But again, with the tools the Lakers had at their disposal to begin the offseason, they knocked this one out of the park. Final Grade: B+ Related: Lakers rumors: Luka Doncic pitched joining LA to Marcus Smart Related: NBA fans can't believe Lakers likely landed Marcus Smart
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA legend Damian Lillard reveals why trade with Portland Trail Blazers was easier than expected
After a gut-wrenching Achilles injury that kept him out of almost every match, Damian Lillard was recently signed in for a blockbuster trade. Yes, that's correct, a three-year $42 million trade with the NBA's one of the finest teams, the Portland Trail Blazers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although there is a whole different theory about why this NBA legend wanted to return to his home, he has something else to say. Damian Lillard is a family man, and the only team that could take him at this point was the Portland Trail Blazers. The now-Trail Blazers star has scored some amazing points while he was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. However, due to a dreadful injury, he couldn't play the rest of the games. Here's what the former Bucks player has to say: Damian Lillard revealed that signing with Portland Trail Blazers was a no-brainer The Portland Trail Blazers have traded the former Milwaukee Bucks star, Damian Lillard, under a three-year, $42 million contract. He is expected to miss out on the entire 2025-26 season due to his left leg Achilles injury. But that doesn't seem to stop this NBA star, as now he has returned to his home. With this homecoming, fans are expecting him to make an extraordinary comeback. 'Usually when I have to make a decision, I put a lot of thought into it. I ask a lot of questions to the people around me, but this was a decision that wasn't hard at all for me to make… I'm just thankful to be back, and it just feels like the perfect situation at the perfect time. I'm just happy to be back', said Damian Lillard to the press on Monday. Damian Lillard was traded to Portland Trail Blazers after spending two years with Milwaukee Bucks After playing 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, the team traded this 35-year-old to the Milwaukee Bucks, ending his first stint in Rip City. However, within two years after a disappointing end with the Bucks, it was now time for the NBA star to move back home and be with his family. Damian Lillard has averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds in 131 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in his career. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He only ever wanted to return to the Bucks, given the fact that he is a family man and wanted to be close to his kids. ESPN's Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania revealed why Damian Lillard wanted to return to Portland Trail Blazers Shams Charania revealed the main reason for Damian Lillard's motivation towards joining the Portland Trail Blazers. 'Being home in Portland, being back with his three kids, was by far the biggest, most important factor in Damian Lillard returning to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was going to spend the year rehabbing his Achilles tear in the Portland area anyway. So, returning to the Blazers franchise, even though he requested a trade just two years ago, was something he deeply cared about', said Shams Charania. With Damian Lillard back to his home team, fans await his fast recovery and major comeback, probably the season following the next. FAQs For how many years did Damian Lillard play with the Milwaukee Bucks? NBA legend Damian Lillard played for two years with the Milwaukee Bucks until he was traded back to the Portland Trail Blazers What is Damian Lillard's injury all about? Damian Lillard had a major left leg injury that tore his achilles muscle in Game 4 of the NBA Finals 2025. What were Damian Lillard's achievements during his time with the Bucks? Damian Lillard was named an All-Star Game MVP in 2024 and won the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. Also read:
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Doug McDermott returns to Sacramento Kings on $3.6M deal, boosts team's 3-point hopes for 2026 season
Doug McDermott returned to the Sacramento Kings (Image via Getty Images) On Monday, NBA star Doug McDermott agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal to rejoin the Sacramento Kings. ESPN's Shams Charania cited his agency, Priority Sports, and announced the news. On the other hand, this wasn't the first time Doug McDermott was signed by the Sacramento Kings. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, on October 17, 2024, the team agreed to a one-year contract with the veteran forward. Doug McDermott rejoins Sacramento Kings to strengthen perimeter shooting for upcoming NBA season The Sacramento Kings ' three-point shooting was reportedly improved for 2026 on Monday, July 21. After playing 42 games for the team in 2024-25, Doug McDermott will return for a second season, according to his agent Mark Bartelstein. After hitting 43.6% from 3-point range the previous season, the NBA player gives the Sacramento Kings another outside shooting threat. Announcing the news, Shams Charania took to X and wrote: 'Free agent Doug McDermott has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal to return to the Sacramento Kings, Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. McDermott will enter his 12th NBA season after shooting 44% from 3 in 42 Kings games in 2024-25…' After being selected in the first round by Chicago in 2014, Doug McDermott has played in 11 NBA seasons. He was also previously signed by the organization in October 2024. This happened two days after the Sacramento Kings traded their forward Jalen McDaniels to the San Antonio Spurs for a 2025 second-round pick. In February, the basketball player was traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the Indiana Pacers as part of a three-team deal that also featured the Philadelphia 76ers . In the meantime, he has maintained a high level of brand recognition despite his reported unimpressive numbers. Doug McDermott is a remarkable player (Image via Getty Images) Moreover, he is the seventh on the all-time men's scoring list and was also a member of three All-America teams with Creighton from 2011 to 2014. Additionally, he is also reputed as one of the NBA 's greatest three-point shooters in terms of percentage. Now, his fans are really excited to see him again with the Sacramento Kings. Also read: "The talent that he has"- Dwyane Wade backs Ace Bailey as Utah Jazz bet on their next star scorer Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
3 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:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers plan on waiving Shake Milton in order to sign Marcus Smart
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to sign veteran guard Marcus Smart after he agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Washington Wizards. Smart, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, will reportedly sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers once he officially clears waivers. Right now, they don't have enough space under the first apron of the NBA's salary cap to sign Smart. But according to Shams Charania of ESPN, they're planning on waiving guard Shake Milton in order to clear some space. "The Lakers plan to waive guard Shake Milton to create the roster spot to sign Smart, sources told ESPN," Charania wrote. "Milton's $3 million contract for next season would have become fully guaranteed Sunday." Milton was thrown into the deal that brought Los Angeles forward Dorian Finney-Smith in late December. He played sporadically afterward and averaged 3.9 points on 43.3% field-goal shooting, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 11.5 minutes a game as a member of the team. Waiving him would open up a good portion of L.A.'s bi-annual exception. In order to open up the full bi-annual exception of $5.1 million, another move, such as waiving guard Jordan Goodwin or a consolidation trade, would need to be made. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers plan on waiving Shake Milton in order to sign Marcus Smart
