As the 2025 NBA Summer League unfolds in Las Vegas, the Los Angeles Lakers are actively seeking roster improvements. According to ClutchPoints’ Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, “LA is hoping to reignite trade talks during Summer League,” with Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, emerging as a potential target.
Smart’s value, however, has taken a hit. The Memphis Grizzlies had to attach a first-round pick just to move his contract, which the Washington Wizards accepted. Once considered one of the league’s most team-friendly deals, Smart’s stock has declined dramatically, making him a possible low-cost pickup for LA.
The veteran guard is entering the final year of his deal, earning approximately $21 million, and may be headed for a buyout if he’s not traded. That’s risky for the Lakers, as trading for Smart would give them a leg up on the competition in a market where many teams could be interested.
🟨 Proposed Trade Package
- Lakers receive: Marcus Smart
- Wizards receive: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2032 second-round pick
Gabe Vincent started to find his rhythm late in the 2024–25 season, playing 72 games after a rough first year in LA. While he brought 3-and-D value off the bench, his production didn’t fully mirror his Miami Heat days. Now in the final year of his $11 million deal, he becomes a valuable trade chip.
Swapping Vincent for Smart would be a gamble. LA would have to believe the 2022 DPOY still has enough in the tank. “That requires a lot of positive thinking,” the article notes, especially after the Grizzlies gave up a first-rounder to dump his deal. Smart has struggled with injuries, playing just 34 games last season, and only 54 total over the past two years.
Despite this, he showed flashes of form with the Wizards, improving his shooting percentages toward the end of the year. In LA, he’d be tasked with a simpler role: defend, hit open shots, and ruffle opponents’ feathers.
If this trade happens, Smart would be expected to log at least 65 games at 20 minutes per night, serving as a key piece in LA’s defensive system. With Dorian Finney-Smith gone, LA needs a strong, switchable defender. While undersized compared to DFS, Smart has proven he can battle elite scorers—provided he stays healthy.
Adding Maxi Kleber and a distant 2032 second-round pick helps balance the trade. Kleber is a stretch big, but the Lakers may prefer to hold onto Jarred Vanderbilt instead when working out salary-matching options.
In short, it’s a classic Lakers risk-reward move: betting on Smart to rediscover his edge and help push the team deeper into the Western Conference race.
