Marcus Smart hopes to remain teammate of LeBron James
marcus-smart-hopes-to-remain-teammate-of-lebron-james
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart said he would like to share the court with LeBron James again next season, acknowledging that both veterans face uncertain futures in free agency.
Speaking during his postseason exit interview, Smart reflected on finally joining forces with James in the 2025-26 campaign after years of playoff battles. “You never know, LeBron has been doing this for 23 years, I’ve been doing this for 12,” Smart said. “I hope so. The battles against him were fun. Being his teammate was fun.”
Smart, 32, arrived in Los Angeles last summer following a buyout with the Washington Wizards. The pairing produced immediate results, helping the Lakers earn a first-round series victory despite late-season injuries to Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić. Smart credited James for lifting the roster’s confidence during that stretch.
James, 41, will enter unrestricted free agency, while Smart holds a player option he could decline. The Lakers are expected to explore ways to keep both players, but neither has committed to returning.
Before joining forces, James’ Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated Smart’s Boston Celtics in three playoff series between 2015 and 2018. Asked if the 2025-26 season felt like a disappointment after a second-round exit, James said it did not, noting that Los Angeles exceeded expectations amid “the timing and severity” of multiple injuries.
Source: LakersNation.com
