Former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart says he took less money to sign with the Houston Rockets after considering the Los Angeles Lakers' offer "disrespectful."
Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix
Marcus Smart became one of the Los Angeles Lakers' key players last season, surprising many with what could be called a comeback season following a couple of underwhelming years in Memphis and Washington after being traded from the Boston Celtics.
But despite his production on the court, the Lakers decided not to put forth maximum effort to keep the former Defensive Player of the Year in Los Angeles.
During an interview with The Houston Chronicle ahead of the new season with his new team, the Houston Rockets, Marcus Smart opened up about his Lakers exit.
The 32-year-old told The Chronicle that the Lakers' offer he declined this offseason was "disrespectful", especially seeing what other players received who didn't match his performance from last year.
"First off, I played so well that the offer that was ultimately given didn't match the way that I played," Smart said, "especially when you see guys who played way worse than I did, the offers they're getting. And then it wasn't any security that we wanted that they were willing to do."
Marcus Smart leaves Lakers to join Rockets
Marcus Smart
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart left the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason by signing a two-year, $13 million contract with the Houston Rockets.
Smart is happy about joining the Rockets and appreciative of the opportunity he has received.
"They gave me an opportunity to be able to go out and try to get what I've earned," Smart said, "and what I've been working my tail off to provide for my family is a decent-sized paycheck with obviously years on it, right? Or a big paycheck with less years, but to be able to have that option."
Smart will reunite with head coach Ime Udoka, with whom he has a strong relationship dating back to their 2022 NBA Finals run with the Boston Celtics.
With his hustle, defense, and leadership, Smart left a lasting impression in LA this past NBA season. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, fully embracing his role as the Lakers' defensive anchor.
He also took his game to another level across 10 playoff appearances, six of them against the Rockets, averaging 12.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
Lakers sign key Marcus Smart replacements
Despite Marcus Smart's departure, the Los Angeles Lakers still managed to fill his spot by signing solid guards and defensive reinforcements.
The Lakers successfully acquired Quentin Grimes (four-year, $60 million) and Collin Sexton (two-year, $19 million), as both guards are poised to provide essential backcourt support for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
On the wings, LA also inked Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle to team-friendly deals.
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