The Los Angeles Lakers have added Marcus Smart to address their perimeter defense issues exposed during last season’s playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Known as one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA’s top defenders when healthy, Smart’s injury struggles limited him to just 34 games over the past two seasons. Despite these setbacks, former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley anticipates Smart will deliver a strong comeback, boosting the Lakers’ defensive capabilities.
Beverley emphasized Smart’s determination to prove himself after recovering from injury and highlighted his influence on the Lakers’ backcourt.
“The sleeper of this whole pickup was Marcus Smart,”
Beverley stated.
“Marcus Smart has something to prove. It’s different, right? You talk about Marcus Smart dealing with injury. Yeah, he got Defensive Player of the Year. Is he the same player? Is he gonna defend it like that?”
He further noted Smart’s motivation due to the contract year factor, pointing out that the guard played well with the Washington Wizards after the trade deadline.
“People don’t understand, after the trade deadline, this month and a half, Marcus Smart was playing some really good basketball with the [Washington] Wizards. People don’t understand that. And…he has motivation to get a new contract. He has motivation to get back to the Marcus Smart that people know he is. So, I think he’s gonna have a stunning year.”
Smart’s Defensive Skills Could Significantly Improve Lakers’ Competitiveness
The Lakers struggled defensively in their recent playoff appearance, finishing as the Western Conference’s third seed. With a more competitive conference this season, improving defense remains critical. By adding Smart, the Lakers aim to strengthen their perimeter defense, a persistent weakness in their lineup. If he stays healthy and performs as expected, his presence could help the team advance deeper into the playoffs. Conversely, continued injury issues or underperformance may hinder their postseason success, risking another early exit.
Broader Context of Lakers’ Season Outlook and Key Players
Alongside Marcus Smart’s anticipated impact, the Lakers are also watching the evolving dynamic between LeBron James and Luka Doncic, which adds an intriguing element to their campaign. The team and its supporters remain cautiously optimistic about how new pieces and existing stars will collaborate to elevate performance throughout the season.
With the Western Conference growing increasingly competitive, the contributions from proven defenders like Smart could be a defining factor for Los Angeles as they seek better results than last year.