When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Marcus Smart, divergent timelines became an unavoidable topic of conversation. One was based in the past, when Smart was the Defensive Player of the Year, and the other was formed by evaluating the past two injury-plagued seasons of his career.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick still believes in Smart, however, and he has the battle scars to support his confidence in his new defensive stalwart.
Smart, 31, won the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award and has received three All-Defense selections. Since he was traded by the Boston Celtics in 2023, however, he’s appeared in just 54 of a possible 164 games—thus posing a fair question as to how much he left in the tank.
During a Sep. 25 press conference, Redick responded to a question about what the veteran offers the Lakers by recounting the time he received 13 stitches over his left eye after playing against Smart.
“Marcus and I had many battles. 13 stitches over my left eye one time. I played him in the playoffs. I know what I’m getting from him on a daily basis.”
Redick expounded on what he expects Smart to bring to the Lakers, citing the All-Defense honoree’s underrated two-way value.
“Toughness. I already told him this: We need his voice. That’s part of communication. His competitive spirit. Defensively, he probably went a little bit under the radar because of the last two years, but he still grades out in nearly every metric in the 80th percentile or higher. So he’s still a very versatile defender. And to me he’s always been a very underrated playmaker.”
Smart is the epitome of defensive intensity and a fiercely competitive player whom Redick’s own battle scars display the value of.
JJ Redick recounts getting 13 stitches after playing Marcus Smart
Smart’s competitive nature played a significant role in the Celtics developing a consistent level of defensive excellence under head coach Brad Stevens. He even helped the Washington Wizards begin to turn things around in 2024-25, with the team improving from No. 29 to No. 23 in defensive rating after acquiring him.
The hope in Los Angeles is that Smart can remain healthy and provide similar value to a team that’s undoubtedly talented enough to compete on offense.
With Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves running the show, Los Angeles has three high-level scoring and playmaking threats. It also has a strong collection of supporting players such as 3-and-D forward Rui Hachimura, former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, and sharpshooter Dalton Knecht.
The question Los Angeles must answer in 2025-26, however, is whether or not they can defend at an adequate level to contend.
Smart won’t be alone in setting the tone defensively, as Los Angeles has invested in several veterans who are proven on that end of the floor. That includes the returning duo of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, and intriguing offseason addition Jake LaRavia.
Even Doncic, long heralded for his offense but criticized for his defensive inconsistency, is coming off of a run at EuroBasket during which he was heralded as Slovenia’s best defender.
Doncic is also the player who recruited Smart to Los Angeles, which offers insight into how welcome this addition is. Smart isn’t just a strong defender, but one of the best of his generation—and by Doncic and Redick’s measure, still capable of providing significant value.
Health permitting, Smart could help establish the type of culture Redick is hoping to cultivate as the Lakers look to contend in 2025-26 and beyond.