Just hours after landing Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Houston Rockets went back to the well and added another guard. Marcus Smart is swapping Los Angeles for Houston, signing a two-year, $13 million deal in free agency. The second year is a player option, so Smart controls his own timeline here.
The move is a stunner for a couple reasons. First, Smart just helped the Lakers knock the Rockets out of the playoffs in five games. He was a pest on defense, hit timely shots, and generally made life miserable for Houston’s young guards. Now he’s walking into their locker room.
ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news Wednesday. Smart reunites with Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who coached him in Boston. That connection matters. Udoka knows exactly what Smart brings, and Smart knows Udoka’s system. It’s not a total guess on either side.
Smart’s decision came right after LeBron James left the Lakers. LeBron’s exit was the big domino. Once he was gone, the Lakers’ roster got fluid. Smart apparently saw the writing on the wall and grabbed a multiyear deal with a team that’s clearly trying to accelerate its rebuild.
The 32-year-old guard put up 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in his one season with the Lakers. Those numbers don’t scream star. But Smart’s value has always been on the other end. He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year. He can guard multiple positions and he’s not afraid of big moments.
Houston now has a backcourt that includes Smart, Bogdanovic, and Jalen Green. That’s a mix of experience and raw shot creation. The Rockets are betting that Smart’s defensive backbone can anchor a young team that sometimes forgets to guard anybody. Udoka certainly thinks so.
For the Lakers, this is another departure from a roster that just got bounced in the first round. They’re in flux. Smart chose a team that’s moving forward while L.A. figures out what’s next.
More details will come out as Smart gets introduced in Houston. But the headline is clear: Smart’s gone from beating the Rockets in May to joining them in July. That’s how fast the NBA moves.
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