Before Marcus Smart landed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks were very much in the mix to sign the veteran guard. However, the latest reporting has revealed why Smart ultimately passed on New York.

One NBA writer proposed a trade that would give the Lakers a player who could plug one of their biggest needs right now.

With Luka Doncic established as the face of the Lakers alongside LeBron James, the team is eyeing one last wave of buyouts, trades, and free-agent moves.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a prime opportunity to add a former Defensive Player of the Year this offseason. Marcus Smart is not the player he once was when the former Boston Celtics guard took home the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year. However, there still might be interest in taking a flier on the three-time All-Defensive Team member.

Marcus Smart was expected to be bought out by the Wizards this summer, it was just unclear where he could end up as a free agent. In a surprise move, Smart plans to sign a two-year deal with the Lakers,

Luka Doncic has now taken that role, and he is already utilizing some of those nuances with the latest Los Angeles Lakers transaction. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, before Marcus Smart agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards,