What’s Really Going On With The Lakers Marcus Smart Rumors
Rumors in the NBA are basically a full-time sport at this point. If you’ve been scrolling through Twitter or checking the latest trade machines lately, you’ve probably seen the big one: the Lakers rumored to trade Russell and Hood-Schifino for Smart. Honestly, it’s the kind of move that makes a ton of sense on paper but has a lot of moving parts that people kind of gloss over.
The Lakers are in this weird spot. They have Luka Doncic now—which still feels surreal to say—and LeBron James is still doing his thing in the twilight of his career. But the defense? It’s been, well, let's just say "not great." They’ve been hovering near the bottom of the league in defensive rating, and that’s why Marcus Smart’s name keeps popping up like a recurring character in a TV show.
L.A. needs grit. They need a guy who is going to dive for loose balls and get in the jersey of the opposing team's best scorer. Marcus Smart is exactly that guy. But is the price of D’Angelo Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino too steep, or is it exactly what Rob Pelinka needs to pull the trigger on?
The Trade Pieces: Who’s Moving Where?
To understand why the Lakers rumored to trade Russell and Hood-Schifino for Smart is such a hot topic, you have to look at what's actually on the table. D'Angelo Russell's second stint in L.A. has been a rollercoaster. One night he’s hitting five threes in a row, and the next, he’s a defensive liability that JJ Redick has to hide on the bench.
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- D’Angelo Russell: He’s on an expiring contract worth about $18.7 million. For a team like Memphis or even a third-party trade partner, that’s a massive asset. You get a proven scorer who can facilitate, and if it doesn't work out, you clear a ton of cap space in the summer.
- Jalen Hood-Schifino: The former 17th overall pick hasn't really found his footing in the Lakers' rotation. He’s got the size and the "potential," but the Lakers are in "win-now" mode. They don't have three years to wait for a guard to develop his jump shot.
- Marcus Smart: The former Defensive Player of the Year. He’s making roughly $20.2 million. The salaries match up almost perfectly when you combine Russell and JHS.
The Grizzlies are in a transition phase. With the drama surrounding Ja Morant and a roster that feels a bit crowded at the guard spot with Desmond Bane and emerging young talent, moving Smart for an expiring deal and a young prospect like Hood-Schifino might be the "reset" button they need.
Why the Lakers Are Desperate for a Defender Like Smart
It’s no secret the Lakers’ perimeter defense has been a sieve. When you have a backcourt featuring Luka and D-Lo, you’re basically asking Anthony Davis to play Superman every single night. It’s exhausting. Smart changes that dynamic instantly.
He’s the kind of player who doesn't need the ball to be effective. In a lineup with LeBron and Luka, you don't need another high-usage guy. You need someone who is going to do the dirty work. Smart’s shooting has been inconsistent—he’s had stretches where he’s hit below 25% from the field—but his value isn't in his PPG. It’s in the fact that he makes the other team’s life a living hell.
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The Luka Factor
Everything the Lakers do right now is about maximizing the Luka Doncic era. If you’re going to have a superstar who carries the offensive load, you have to surround him with "Dogs." Smart is the ultimate "Dog." He can switch onto wings, guard the point, and he brings a level of championship-adjacent experience from his days in Boston that this current Lakers roster lacks outside of LeBron and AD.
Potential Roadblocks to the Deal
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The Grizzlies gave up two first-round picks to get Smart from Boston. They aren't going to just give him away for "salary filler" and a project player.
- Pick Capital: Memphis likely wants at least one first-round pick or a couple of high-value seconds. The Lakers are notoriously stingy with their remaining picks, especially the 2029 and 2031 ones.
- Health Concerns: Smart has missed a lot of time over the last two seasons. Injuries have slowed him down. If the Lakers trade for him and he’s in a walking boot by March, the trade is a disaster.
- The D-Lo Value: Does Memphis even want D’Angelo Russell? They might need a third team to jump in—maybe a team like Brooklyn or Orlando—to take on Russell while sending more assets to Memphis.
What This Means for Jalen Hood-Schifino
Honestly, a trade might be the best thing for JHS. Being a young guard on a LeBron-led team is a lot of pressure. Every mistake is magnified. In a place like Memphis or Utah, he’d actually get the minutes to figure out who he is as an NBA player. He’s 6'6", he's strong, and he has a good feel for the game. He just needs reps that he isn't going to get in Los Angeles.
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Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans
If you're following the Lakers rumored to trade Russell and Hood-Schifino for Smart, here is what you should be watching for as the trade deadline approaches:
- The Salary Match: Keep an eye on the "apron" levels. The Lakers are operating very close to the hard cap. Any trade for Smart has to be dollar-for-dollar to avoid triggering restrictions that would prevent them from signing buyout players later.
- Secondary Rumors: If you start hearing the Lakers are looking at "backup centers," it might mean the Smart trade is falling through and they are pivoting to frontcourt help instead.
- D-Lo’s Minutes: Watch how JJ Redick uses D'Angelo Russell over the next two weeks. If his minutes start to crater, or if he’s "DNP-CD" for a few games, a trade is almost certainly imminent.
The Lakers need to make a move. Standing pat while sitting in the middle of the Western Conference standings is a death sentence in a year where the competition is this fierce. Marcus Smart isn't a perfect player, but he’s the perfect type of player for what this team is missing. Whether Rob Pelinka can actually close the deal remains the $20 million question.
Check the injury reports for Smart in Memphis; if he sits out a few games with "rest" or a minor "soreness" designation, that’s usually the sign that teams are protecting a trade asset from a real injury before the paperwork is filed.