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Marcus Smart declining $5.4 million Lakers option opens door to potential Rockets move
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- Marcus Smart declining $5.4 million Lakers option opens door to potential Rockets move
Marcus Smart declining $5.4 million Lakers option opens door to potential Rockets move appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Lakers have already had a busy offseason, recently signing Austin Reaves to a massive contract extension as rumors swirl about the future of LeBron James . Now, Lakers guard Marcus Smart has made a big decision affecting his potential future with the franchise.
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" Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart is declining his $5.4M player option to become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell me," reported NBA insider Chris Haynes of Prime on X, formerly Twitter.
Some buzz has emerged in recent days that the Houston Rockets could be a potential suitor for Smart's services in free agency, just after he eliminated them in the playoffs last year.
"Strangely enough, according to team and league sources, the belief is that the Rockets will be the team most likely to land Smart once free agency opens on June 30 thanks to a multi-year deal," Lakers reporter Dan Woike of The Athletic reported recently.
Such a move would reunite Smart with his former Boston Celtics head coach, Ime Udoka, and would also help Houston shore up their lack of depth in the backcourt, giving them another elite perimeter defender and someone who can help settle things down on offense. Smart declining his player option was the first domino that needed to fall in order for this potential move to take place.
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Meanwhile, if Smart indeed heads for the exit door, the Lakers will need to pivot quickly and scour the trade market and free agency for some more depth at the guard position, as there are currently slim pickings behind Reaves and Luka Doncic in the backcourt.
In any case, NBA free agency is slated to open on Tuesday evening, at which point Smart can depart if he so chooses.
Related: LeBron James driving through Ohio on IG amid Warriors rumors
