Boston Celtics fans have gotten their first win of the free agency window. No, they haven’t signed anyone yet (as of 8:15 a.m. Wednesday), but they’re free of seeing one of their favorite former players in Los Angeles Lakers colors.
According to multiple reports, Marcus Smart is headed to the Houston Rockets.
Don’t have to see him in those disgusting colors anymore https://t.co/QiyZw4Ngrq pic.twitter.com/9tG3n0HOxW
— Sam LaFrance (@SamLaFranceNBA) July 1, 2026
Smart’s new contract spans two years and is worth $13 million, a slight bump over his player option in L.A. Now, he’ll join former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka (who is less-fondly remembered) in Houston.
The 32-year-old put together a solid season for the Lakers, after spending the past few playing non-competitive basketball with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. Smart appeared in 62 games for Los Angeles, starting in 54, and averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game on 39.5% from the field and 33.1% from deep.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page and scream impact at you, but, rest assured Smart’s impact can be weighed with the disappointment with Lakers fans who are waking up to learn of his departure.
I am so annoyed I’m just gonna get up and make coffee.
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) July 1, 2026
For what it's worth, his numbers jumped up a bit in 10 playoff appearances for L.A. He added an extra three points and two assists to his regular-season stats.
Smart will be a beloved Celtic forever
Celtics fans, though somewhat divided, largely loved and appreciated Smart during his nine seasons wearing green. Boston drafted him sixth overall in 2014 and haven’t missed the playoffs yet. His arrival seemed to coincide with the beginning for this recent era of success.
They’ve held the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the 12 seasons since, picking up Ws 64.1% of the time. For perspective, the Golden State Warriors, who began their dynastic run that same season, have only won 63.1% of the time.
Smart played a sizable role in Boston’s success during his tenure. He started 433 of his 689 total appearances for the Celtics, helping the team reach five Eastern Conference Finals and the 2022 NBA Finals.
When he was traded to Memphis in the three-team deal that landed Kristaps Porzingis in Boston, fans were sad to see him go. Many believed that his No. 36 deserved to be retired, even though the Cs didn’t reach the mountaintop until after the trade.
Needless to say that fans were devastated when the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year signed with the rival Lakers last summer. Thankfully, that nightmare is finally over.
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