Story by
Marcus Smart bolts Lakers for Rockets on $13 million contract
- Story by
- Marcus Smart bolts Lakers for Rockets on $13 million contract
Marcus Smart bolts Lakers for Rockets on $13 million contract appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Just a few hours after acquiring Bogdan Bogdanovic , the Houston Rockets added another player to their backcourt by signing Marcus Smart in free agency on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Smart, who recently declined his player option , was instrumental in the Los Angeles Lakers ' elimination of the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Now, he will play in Clutch City.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Smart's unexpected move .
"Free agent guard Marcus Smart has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Houston Rockets , plus a player option for the second season, sources tell ESPN. The former Defensive Player of the Year reunites with Ime Udoka for a significant opportunity in the Rockets backcourt," wrote Charania on X.
Smart's bold decision came on the heels of LeBron James ' exit in Los Angeles . They teamed up to beat the Rockets in five games in the opening round of the playoffs.
Advertisement
In 65 games with the Lakers, the 32-year-old Smart averaged 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 28.5 minutes. It was a bounce-back campaign for the veteran guard after playing just 54 games in the previous two seasons due to various injuries.
It was a bit surprising that Smart left Los Angeles, where he already had a starting role, to join Houston, where he would likely get fewer minutes playing behind Fred VanVleet , Amen Thompson , and Reed Sheppard .
Udoka, who handled Smart on the Boston Celtics from 2021 to 2023, probably had a big hand in enticing the hard-nosed enforcer to come to the Rockets.
Smart was linked to the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks before he was snagged by Houston.
Related: Rockets rumors: What Marcus Smart deal means for Tari Eason amid free agency dilemma
Related: Bogdan Bogdanovic signs with Rockets after subpar Clippers tenure
