<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-luka-doncic-reveals-marcus-smart-help-defensive-transformation');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Luka Doncic reveals how Marcus Smart will help with defensive transformation');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Lakers-guard-Luka-Doncic_ca4698.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Luka Doncic reveals how Marcus Smart will help with defensive transformation</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-02T22:28:21-07:00">August 2nd, 10:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-02T22:33:16-07:00">August 2nd, 10:33pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-luka-doncic-165-million-contract-extension">Los Angeles Lakers secured Luka Doncic’s commitment this offseason</a> by signing him to a three-year, $165 million contract extension, committing him to the franchise through the 2028-29 season and removing his player option for 2026-27. With LeBron James potentially entering his final year with the franchise, the Lakers have now positioned Doncic as the clear face of the team’s future. A major part of that vision includes a defensive overhaul, one that Doncic believes Marcus Smart will significantly impact.</p><p>Speaking at a recent media conference, the 26-year-old Slovenian credited Smart with being a catalyst for change, <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1951782163973570706" rel="noopener">particularly on the defensive end</a>.</p><p>“I think way better. Obviously we got Marcus, so he’s gonna teach me some things. But obviously that is going to help a lot,” Luka Doncic said, referencing the Lakers’ defensive shortcomings during their 4-1 first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.</p><p>That series exposed their need for perimeter defense, and Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, arrives as a direct solution.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-luka-doncic-la-marcus-smart">Doncic actively recruited Smart</a>, who signed after securing a buyout with the Washington Wizards. Alongside Smart, the Lakers also landed Deandre Ayton this summer. These moves show the Lakers’ aggressive push to build around Doncic, who is now the only player under contract past the 2027-28 season. With over $100 million in potential cap space by 2026, Los Angeles could chase future free agents like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Donovan Mitchell.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-luka-doncic-bold-prediction-leveling-up-conditioning">Doncic’s offseason transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed either</a>. After being limited to just 50 games in 2024-25 due to a left calf strain, he has dropped nearly 20 pounds. He told Men’s Health, “Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” crediting a gluten-free, zero-sugar diet and intense physical training.</p><p>Last season, despite injury, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. In 2023-24, he led the league with 33.9 PPG, the highest since James Harden’s 34.3 in 2019-20.</p><p>Luka Doncic remains one of only two NBA players, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, to average at least 28 points per game in each of the last four seasons. He has also averaged 25+ points, eight+ rebounds, and seven+ assists every year since 2021-22, a feat matched only by Nikola Jokic.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Luka Doncic reveals how Marcus Smart will help with defensive transformation

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/miami-heat/nba-rumors-heat-decided-against-terry-rozier-marcus-smart-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Heat decided against Terry Rozier-Marcus Smart trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Marcus-Smart-36-shoots-for-three-over-Miami-Heat-guard-Isaiah-Stevens-4.jpg"><figcaption>© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Heat decided against Terry Rozier-Marcus Smart trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-29T07:07:21-07:00">July 29th, 7:07am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-29T07:08:34-07:00">July 29th, 7:08am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Miami Heat</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-bucks-hawks-among-teams-marcus-smart-trade">Miami Heat reportedly considered a trade</a> involving veteran point guards Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart earlier this offseason but <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/monday-best-the-latest-hottest-and" rel="noopener">ultimately chose to keep</a> Rozier, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.</p><p>Fischer reported that Miami explored a potential Rozier-for-Smart swap with the Washington Wizards. However, the Heat front office could not reach an internal consensus on whether acquiring Smart would represent a definitive upgrade. Trade talks stalled, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-marcus-smart-intends-sign-la-wizards-buyout">Smart eventually agreed to a buyout with Washington</a> on July 19, clearing the way for him to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-marcus-smart-reveals-luka-doncic-recruiting-pitch">sign with the Los Angeles Lakers</a> as a free agent.</p><p>Rozier, 31, remains on the Heat roster as he enters the final season of his contract, which will pay him $26.6 million in 2025–26 before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He was traded to Miami during the 2023–24 season after starting the year with the Charlotte Hornets. In 64 total games between the two teams, Rozier averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 39.1% from the field and 29.5% from three — his lowest scoring average since 2018–19 with the Boston Celtics.</p><p>His best stretch came during the first half of the 2023–24 campaign with Charlotte, where he averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game on 45.9% shooting from the field and 35.8% from deep across 30 appearances.</p><h2><b>After Wizards buyout, Marcus Smart joins Lakers as Heat stick with Terry Rozier</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Terry-Rozier-on-March-31-2025-1.jpg"><figcaption>Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Smart, 31, completed his 11th NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. After being traded from the Boston Celtics during the 2023 offseason, Smart appeared in just 19 games for the Grizzlies before injuries sidelined him. He was later moved to Washington at the trade deadline but played in only one game for the Wizards, finishing the season with 20 total appearances. Smart averaged nine points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 39.3% from the field and 34.8% from three in 20 minutes per game.</p><p>The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year joined the Lakers following his buyout and is expected to provide backcourt defense and leadership off the bench.</p><p>Miami, meanwhile, is moving forward with its current backcourt rotation. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/miami-heat/heat-news-former-miami-champion-hits-norman-powell-trade-harsh-reality-check">Heat recently added veteran scorer Norman Powell in a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers</a> and Utah Jazz. The move signals a continued effort to retool the roster following a disappointing 37–45 finish in the 2024–25 season.</p><p>Despite advancing through the Play-In Tournament, Miami was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Powell joining Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, and Rozier entering a contract year, the Heat will look to climb back into contention in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2025–26 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Heat decided against Terry Rozier-Marcus Smart trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-rumors-bucks-hawks-among-teams-marcus-smart-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bucks, Hawks among teams that considered Marcus Smart trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Marcus-Smart-1.jpg"><figcaption>Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bucks, Hawks among teams that considered Marcus Smart trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-29T06:31:21-07:00">July 29th, 6:31am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-29T06:31:21-07:00">July 29th, 6:31am</time><address><a href="https://www.downeuclid.com">Evan Dammarell</a>Evan Dammarell is an award-winning sports journalist covering all things Cleveland, including the Cavs, right off the shores of Lake Erie. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Before Marcus Smart reached a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards and ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, several NBA contenders were actively exploring trades <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-player-marcus-smart-replaced-makes-next-career-move">for the former Defensive Player of the Year</a>. According to <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/monday-best-the-latest-hottest-and?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=169505949&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">reporting from insiders</a> Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat all made v<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-marcus-smart-signing-winning-proclamation-rob-pelinka">arying inquiries about Smart’s availability</a> leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft.</p><p>The Hawks, fresh off one of the most aggressive offseasons in the league, reportedly considered absorbing Smart’s $22 million expiring contract into their $25 million traded player exception generated by the Dejounte Murray deal.</p><p>While Atlanta ultimately pivoted toward acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis and signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, their pursuit of Smart reveals concerns about whether young guard Kobe Bufkin is ready to handle full-time backup duties. Smart, a rugged defender with combo guard versatility, would’ve been an ideal mentor, or even long-term option, for a Hawks team squarely in win-now mode.</p><h2><b>The Bucks and Heat were also in the mix for Marcus Smart</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Marcus-Smart-2.jpg"><figcaption>Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Bucks, meanwhile, were searching for perimeter defenders to bolster their aging core and explored a deal that would have sent Pat Connaughton’s expiring $9.4 million contract to Washington in a package for Smart or Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins. Connaughton was instead dealt to Charlotte for future second-rounders, but Milwaukee’s interest in Smart underscores how highly the veteran is still regarded around the league.</p><p>The Miami Heat also reportedly made a play for Smart, though the details of their offer remain unclear.</p><p>In the end, Washington found no acceptable trade partner and opted for a buyout, allowing Smart to join the Lakers. The level of interest in Smart before his buyout reaffirms his value as a high-impact defender and leader, and it highlights the competitive urgency across the East.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bucks, Hawks among teams that considered Marcus Smart trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/lakers-news-player-marcus-smart-replaced-makes-next-career-move');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Marcus Smart replaced makes next career move');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Shake-Milton.jpg"><figcaption>Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Marcus Smart replaced makes next career move</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-24T12:27:07-07:00">July 24th, 12:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-25T07:32:23-07:00">July 25th, 7:32am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Shake Milton is heading overseas. According to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews, Milton has <a href="https://x.com/Urbodo/status/1948473309273743432" rel="noopener">agreed to a two-year deal</a> with Partizan Belgrade, marking the end of his seven-season NBA career — at least for now.</p><p>The move comes just days after the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-los-angeles-waive-veteran-guard-marcus-smart">Lakers waived Milton on Sunday</a> to clear cap space to sign veteran guard and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/grading-marcus-smart-lakers-contract">Smart joined the team on a two-year, $11 million contract</a> that includes a player option for the 2026–27 season.</p><p>Milton, 28, split his 2024–25 season between the Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers. In 57 total appearances, he averaged 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 45.3% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. He began the season with Brooklyn, appearing in 27 games before being <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-trade-grade-dangelo-russell-dorian-finney-smith-deal">traded in December alongside Dorian Finney-Smith to Los Angeles</a>. The Nets received D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks in the deal.</p><h2><b>Shake Milton heads to Euroleague as Lakers add Marcus Smart</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Shake-Milton-20-dribbles-the-ball-around-his-teammate-Lakers-center-Trey-Jemison-III.jpg"><figcaption>© Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>With the Lakers, Milton saw limited minutes, averaging 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 30 games while shooting 43.3% from the field and 29.4% from three. He logged just 11.5 minutes per contest in a reserve role as Los Angeles sought to stabilize its rotation during a midseason transition.</p><p>Milton now joins the Euroleague’s Partizan Belgrade, a prominent Serbian club with a strong international reputation. His move continues a trend of former NBA players finding opportunity and lucrative deals abroad.</p><p>He will join another former Lakers guard, Lonnie Walker IV, in Europe next season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/brooklyn-nets/nba-news-former-76ers-nets-guard-becomes-europes-highest-paid-players">Walker, 26, reportedly signed a three-year, $10 million dea</a>l earlier Thursday with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Euroleague. The contract places him among the highest-paid players in European basketball. Walker played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2024–25 season before opting for a long-term move overseas.</p><p>With the addition of Smart and the departure of Milton, the Lakers are retooling their roster heading into the 2025–26 season. Smart brings veteran experience and elite defensive ability to the team, while Milton seeks a fresh start and increased role in Europe.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Marcus Smart replaced makes next career move

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-marcus-smart-reveals-luka-doncic-recruiting-pitch');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Marcus Smart reveals Luka Doncic’s recruiting pitch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Grizzlies-guard-Marcus-Smart-36-defends-Mavericks-guard-Luka-Doncic-77.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Marcus Smart reveals Luka Doncic’s recruiting pitch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-22T17:01:55-07:00">July 22nd, 5:01pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-22T17:08:11-07:00">July 22nd, 5:08pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers made a significant addition of late to their team, with the Purple &amp; Gold signing former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million contract. At this point, it’s already known that Los Angeles superstar guard <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/nba-rumors-lakers-beat-out-suns-marcus-smart">Luka Doncic had played a role in convincing Smart</a> to come to Tinseltown.</p><p>On Tuesday, Smart opened up on Doncic’s recruitment that <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/1947787460701811037" rel="noopener">helped him decide</a> to check out the Lakers and eventually sign with them. Smart was said to be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-nba-intel-chris-paul-bradley-beal-marcus-smart-deals">interested in joining a team with NBA Playoff aspirations</a> once a buyout with the Washington Wizards was completed.</p><p>“You know, when you get a guy like Luka calling, referencing, checking on you, trying to see where you’re at, to see if you want to come, join something special that he’s trying to cook up over here,” Smart told reporters, including Dave McMenamin of ESPN.</p><p>“And for him to say that, to see that he can really use my help, that meant a lot. Played against Luka a lot, been on a lot of opposing ends of Luka Magic. And to be able to come out and be on his side at this time means a lot,” added Smart, who joins Doncic in the Lakers’ backcourt that now features an elite offensive machine in the Slovenian superstar and a distinguished defensive weapon in the former Oklahoma State Cowboys star.</p><p>Smart was also asked if he had a prior relationship with Doncic.</p><p>“I wouldn’t say it was a relationship,” the 31-year-old guard responded. “But we definitely had a mutual understanding and respect for each other. After every game, playing, it was always flowers.”</p><p>Additionally, Smart recalled the times that Doncic tried to reach out to him.</p><p>“I’m working out, and I get a call from my agent saying, hey, Luka’s reached out. And I’m like, yeah, whatever, all right. And then another day, same thing, Luka reached out again. And now it’s real, it’s no longer what ifs. It’s real and it’s something we need to talk about. And that was a great feeling, like I said. And that’s kind of what kind of got things going for me to be here. And I’m excited to be here.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Marcus Smart talks about Luka Doncic’s efforts to recruit him to L.A. He said prior to this summer, they didn’t have a relationship beyond mutual respect as competitors: “It was always flowers” <a href="https://t.co/4k4KPi3tQu">pic.twitter.com/4k4KPi3tQu</a></p><p>— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcten/status/1947787460701811037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Getting Smart appears like, well, a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/grading-marcus-smart-lakers-contract">smart move for the Lakers</a>. Not only does it give them a reliable and proven defensive piece, it also takes one big thorn in the side of Doncic as an opponent.</p><p>A first-round pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA draft, Smart has averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, so far in his career in the league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
9.3	1.9	2.5	0.2	1.1

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
9.3	1.9	2.5	0.2	1.1

Marcus Smart

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