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Newsweek
29 minutes ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Marcus Smart Reveals How Luka Doncic Convinced Him to Join the Lakers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. It's clear from the offseason moves made by general manager Rob Pelinka that the Los Angeles Lakers are going all-in on an NBA championship in 2025. With star forward Luka Doncic exercising his $52.6 million player option for next season, and point guard Luka Doncic under contract for at least 2025 (he's eligible for a four-year, $228.6 million extension on Aug. 2), the Lakers have started piecing together a much more competitive roster with the additions of 7-foot center Deandre Ayton, former first-round forward Jake LaRavia, and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. And it's not just Pelinka who's been recruiting talent to L.A. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Smart admitted that Doncic actually reached out to him a few times and convinced him to come join him, James, Austin Reaves and company. More Basketball: Caitlin Clark Trolls Kelsey Plum After Getting Shaded at All-Star Game Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Arena on April 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Arena on April 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California."When you get a guy like Luka calling, referencing, checking on you, trying to see where you're at, to see if you want to come join something special that he's trying to cook up over here, and for him to say that he could really use my help, that meant a lot," Smart said, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Played against Luka a lot, been on a lot of opposing ends of Luka magic, and to be able to come out and be on his side this time means a lot." Smart also disclosed that Doncic contacting him came as a small surprise considering they two didn't necessarily have a close friendship off the court, though he did admit they shared a close admiration for one another and always gave each other "flowers." "It first came, I was working out and I get a call from my agent saying, 'Hey, Luka's reached out' and I'm like, 'Yeah, whatever,'" Smart joked. "Then another day, the same thing — Luka reached out again, and now it's real. Marcus Smart #36 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Miami Heat during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. Marcus Smart #36 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Miami Heat during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2025 in Washington, Basketball: Dick Vitale Doesn't Hold Back After WNBA Players' Salary Demand "It's no longer what ifs, it's real and it's something we need to talk about. That was a great feeling like I said, and that's what kind of got the things rolling to me to be here and I'm excited to be here." The additions of Ayton, Smart and LaRavia likely make the Lakers a threat to the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the Western Conference. After adding Doncic in early February, L.A. went 19-13 down the stretch to close out the regular season before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers coach JJ Redick's glowing comments about Marcus Smart in 2020
Veteran guard Marcus Smart agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers after his contract with the Washington Wizards was bought out this weekend, and many believe he will make a significant impact on the team. The Lakers have lacked high-level perimeter defenders for the last few years, and that is exactly what Smart is, even if his defense has slipped a bit over the last couple of years. Luka Doncic reportedly helped recruit Smart to the Lakers. In addition, a clip from "The Old Man & the Three" podcast has been unearthed where Lakers coach JJ Redick had some glowing things to say about the former Defensive Player of the Year. In the clip, which is from 2020, Redick said that Smart is the type of player he would want on his team. 'I love Marcus,' Redick said. 'If I'm picking a basketball team, I want Marcus on it. He gets under guys' skin, he competes. There's a level of flopping in his game through the Marcus Smart Experience, but that overshadows all the other amazing stuff that he does. 'He is a guy that just makes winning plays consistently… I just enjoy watching him play and I like guys who compete like that.' In addition to bringing some game-changing defense, Smart has some huge potential as far as being an overall glue guy for Los Angeles. That's the type of player he was in his first nine seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, especially when they reached the Eastern Conference finals five times in seven years and came within two wins of claiming the world championship in 2022. He appeared in just 54 games the past two years due to injury, but he has reportedly been working hard on his fitness and conditioning this summer, and he could be poised for a bit of a resurgence this coming season.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers rumors: Fans will see a Marcus Smart body transformation in LA
The post Lakers rumors: Fans will see a Marcus Smart body transformation in LA appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers made an addition to the team over the weekend, signing Marcus Smart after he agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards. Smart is known as a defensive guard, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. He's also a winner, which probably matters the most when talking about what the Lakers need on the team, and the experience that he has can help. Going into the next season, people should expect Smart to look a little different, as he plans to be slimmer than he has been in his career, according to the Stein Line. 'I'm likewise told that Smart (like Dončić) has been working hard on his body this summer. Conditioning was an undeniable issue for Smart last season, but the Lakers were convinced during their pursuit that they would see a sleeker version of the 2021-22 DPOY,' the Stein Line wrote. Being more in shape is never a bad thing, and as long as Smart can still guard at a high level, that should be fine. The Lakers got a good player in Smart, and though he may not be the same player that he was years ago, he still has the skills to make a difference on a team. Marcus Smart signs with Lakers One person who was instrumental in getting Smart to join the Lakers and it was Luka Doncic, according to Marc Stein. '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,' Stein wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The narrative around the Lakers is that they will be following Doncic's lead, and if he wanted Smart, they were going to do what it took to sign him. This Lakers team is starting to fill up on pieces that will be helpful throughout the season, and the hope is that everyone clicks. There is still a chance that they will make more moves, and there have been rumors that players such as Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht could be on the trade block. The next goal for the Lakers is to find some more wing players who are known for being 3-and-D. In a crowded Western Conference, they'll have to do whatever they can to stay relevant. Related: Siegel's Scoop: Latest NBA free agency, trade intel after Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, Marcus Smart deals Related: Shaq reveals 'close' relationship with Lakers great Kobe Bryant's mom
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Marcus Smart has been working hard on his conditioning this summer
Once Marcus Smart clears waivers following the buyout of his contract with the Washington Wizards, he will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers. He agreed to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with L.A. on Saturday, and people hope he will significantly improve the team in terms of perimeter defense, an area in which it has struggled during recent seasons. But there is some concern that perhaps Smart isn't the same player he once was. He appeared in just 54 games over the last two seasons due to multiple injuries, and some feel his game also declined, particularly on the defensive end, where he has been one of the NBA's best for years. However, Marc Stein had what sounds like good news in that department in a recent edition of his "Stein Line" substack. He wrote that the veteran guard has been working to get back in shape this offseason. 'I'm likewise told that Smart (like [Luka] Dončić) has been working hard on his body this summer,' Stein wrote. 'Conditioning was an undeniable issue for Smart last season. 'But the Lakers were convinced during their pursuit that they will see a sleeker version of the 2021-22 DPOY.' Smart was named to the All-Defensive first team for the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons. He was a key member of the Boston Celtics during his first nine NBA seasons, and with his help, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals five times in seven seasons and got to the NBA Finals in 2022. They traded him in 2023 as part of a radical makeover of their roster that resulted in them winning it all in 2024. While he has spent plenty of time on the injured list since, he isn't exactly old at 31 years of age, and none of the injuries he has had are the type that could seriously rob him of his ability. Now that Smart is once again playing for a team that could go far in the playoffs, not to mention the fact that the second year of the contract he agreed to is a player option year, he could be poised for a resurgence this coming season.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Pacers' TJ McConnell Sounds Off About Kyrie Irving
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Indiana Pacers and point guard T.J. McConnell are fresh off of a run to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, they came up just short against the Oklahoma City Thunder and lost Game 7 of the series following star point guard Tyrese Haliburton's torn Achilles injury. During the Finals, McConnell became a household name. Everyone in Indiana had already come to love him, but he hadn't been a name talked about much around the league. With fans getting to see him on the biggest stage in basketball, McConnell stepped up and played at an incredibly high level. T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo byThroughout the course of the series against the Thunder, McConnell averaged 12 points per game off of the bench to go along with 4.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. Read more: Lakers Linked to Potential Trade for 2-Time All-Star Guard Now that his name has grown, McConnell is being much more active in the media. Recently, he spoke out with a strong opinion about who the toughest player in the NBA is to guard. Of course, McConnell is known as a tenacious defender. He wreaks havoc on many opposing guards. However, there is one guard that he has difficulty with in particular. That guard is none other than Dallas Mavericks' superstar point guard Kyrie Irving. During an appearance on the "Christian Kuntz Podcast," McConnell spoke out with a strong message about Irving. "Who's the hardest guy I've had to guard? Kyrie Irving," McConnell said. "The ball's on a string. You're on an island, and you just don't know what he's gonna do. You could force him one way, but he still ends up getting the way you don't want him. His handle is impeccable. It's impeccable. He's got the greatest handle I've seen. He could really shoot it like, he's fast, it's just, it's a tough place to be mentally when you're when you're guarding Kyrie." Read more: Warriors' Stephen Curry Doesn't Hold Back About Ja Morant Irving is currently working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered. There is no concrete timetable for his return to the court, but the Mavericks are hoping that he'll be playing during the 2025-26 season. All of that being said, McConnell showering Irving with this kind of praise is telling. Irving has been a lethal scorer and ball-handler his entire career. McConnell and the Pacers will have their work cut out for them during the 2025-26 campaign. Without Haliburton on the court, they'll have a steep hill to climb to remain as one of the top teams in the NBA. For more on the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
