Ex-NBA Champion Reacts to Lakers' Marcus Smart Signing

Former New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins defended the Los Angeles Lakers' addition of Marcus Smart

Mar 13, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

On Saturday, the Washington Wizards and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart agreed to a contract buyout, and the veteran guard is set to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers.

With this move, the Lakers add one of the best guard defenders the NBA has seen in the last decade, and put another proven veteran around their new core group of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton.

BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025

Many fans have been critical of the Lakers' signing of Marcus Smart, saying that he is not the same player that he once was or that he has minimal impact on offense, but former New Orleans Pelicans center and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins defended the acquisition.

"Marcus Smart heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, and we saw a lot of people kind of downplaying it and being pissed off," Perkins said. "I don't know why. Here's the thing that we have to start doing: When it comes down to valuing the game of basketball, critiquing the game of basketball, we gotta quit just talking about offense."

Through 34 appearances last season with the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies, Smart averaged just 9.0 points per game, but continued to shine as a defender. Even when Smart won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22, he averaged just 12.1 points per game.

"Now, you go and get something that you've been missing... The Lakers haven't had a defender like Marcus Smart since Alex Caruso," Perkins continued. "Marcus Smart. Former Defensive Player of the Year, a pitbull, a dog, something that not only Luka needs around him, but also a guy like LeBron James."

Jan 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Smart is a solid addition in Los Angeles, and Perkins, who admitted he is typically critical of the Lakers and Rob Pelinka, believes it makes them a much better team.