The Boston Celtics traded away Marcus Smart in 2023 as Brad Stevens built their championship roster, but the veteran guard is proving he still has plenty left in the tank with the Lakers. LA desperately needed perimeter defense, so they were ecstatic to land Smart. What nobody expected was the 6’3 guard becoming a lights-out shooter wearing purple and gold.
Over the last 28 games, Smart has made 39.0 percent of his 123 3-point attempts. He is taking 4.4 per game and connecting at an elite clip. Jordan Walsh and Luka Garza are the only two current Celtics shooting over 39 percent from long range on the season. Smart is looking for the perfect piece for the Lakers, and LA’s five-game win streak has everyone thinking they may be a surprise title threat.
The Celtics won a championship in 2024 and are right back in the thick of title contention. They have no regrets about moving on, but Smart keeps proving them wrong. Boston thought he was taking a step back as he exited his 20s. Instead, Smart is finding new ways to impact a contender in his early 30s. Fans know he is relishing in proving Stevens and the Celtics wrong.
Marcus Smart is getting the last laugh on the Celtics by thriving with the Lakers
The Lakers were the big winners here. Smart was making over $19 million per year on the contract he signed in Boston. The Celtics dealt him to the Grizzlies, who flipped him to the rebuilding Wizards. Washington was eager to buy him out, and the Lakers got him for just $5.1 million this season. It has become an absolute steal with Smart sinking open looks and still playing stout defense.
Celtics fans know well what Smart can do. His energy, effort, and leadership help his team win. Smart plays stout defense and is always communicating. The Lakers are getting all that plus a 39 percent 3-point shooter that keeps getting left open as Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James bend the defense. It is more than the purple and gold could have imagined.
The Celtics are a serious title threat with Jayson Tatum back. Boston’s superstar has instantly looked fantastic and has fans dreaming of what could be.
Marcus Smart is helping Lakers fans have those same dreams. LA has three stars leading their roster. It's all about finding the right role players. The Lakers are thankful Boston let Smart go because he has been fantastic in Hollywood.
The Boston Celtics would love to renew their rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. It would be a matchup against Marcus Smart, but the Cs would be favored. The Western Conference is loaded, which makes the Lakers an underrated threat. Luka led the Mavs to the NBA Finals in 2024 and could do it again in LA. Celtics fans hope he does, and the result is the same. That would be the ideal scenario, and it gets more real every day.