Dončić Takes Charge: Lakers Boost Championship Hopes with Smarts Arrival

Luka Dončić has expressed his desire to be known as “the player who brought championships to the city.”

As he embarks on his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Slovenian superstar is actively working to build a championship-caliber team—recently reaching out to Marcus Smart personally.

Reports from Shams Charania indicate that the former Boston Celtics guard is expected to finalize a two-year, $11 million contract with the Lakers following a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards. In order to create a spot on the roster, the Lakers plan to release guard Shake Milton.

Smart, recognized for his toughness and defensive prowess, will be joining a reinvigorated Lakers lineup that features Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and newly acquired center Deandre Ayton. After missing the playoffs in the last two seasons with Memphis and Washington, Smart is returning to the postseason stage, having reached the playoffs in all nine years of his career with Boston.

Despite being limited to just 54 games last season and averaging a career-low of 20 minutes per game due to injuries, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year brings a wealth of experience to a Lakers team that is eager to secure another championship.