James Worthy Sees Marcus Smart’s Arrival as Modern Echo of Ron Harper’s Lakers Role
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The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to sign guard Marcus Smart after his buyout from the Washington Wizards has drawn praise from Hall of Famer James Worthy, who likened the move to when the franchise brought in veteran guard Ron Harper nearly 25 years ago.
Speaking on ESPN LA, Worthy recalled how Harper’s experience and leadership bolstered the locker room during the Lakers’ championship run under head coach Phil Jackson. “You bring in Smart, who can still play defense, savvy,” Worthy said, comparing the 2025 acquisition to Harper’s arrival in 1999.
Defensive specialist expected to boost depth
Smart, 31, struggled with injuries in recent seasons but said he is fully healthy and ready for training camp ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. New head coach JJ Redick must still finalize his starting lineup, yet Smart’s ability to guard multiple positions gives him a strong case for significant minutes. Beyond his defensive reputation, the 2022 NBA champion is considered a reliable secondary playmaker who can help ease the creative load on Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Harper comparison rooted in past success
Before joining the Lakers, Harper spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls, winning three straight titles in Chicago from 1996-98. He signed a two-year deal with the Lakers in 1999, reuniting with Jackson and earning his fourth championship ring in 2000. Injuries limited Harper to 47 regular-season games and six postseason appearances in 2000-01, but he still collected a fifth title before retiring.
Worthy sees similar intangibles in Smart, who arrives in Los Angeles with a championship pedigree and a reputation for vocal leadership. Redick is expected to rely on the veteran guard to set a defensive tone and mentor younger teammates throughout the season.
Smart recalls guarding Kobe Bryant
Now entering his 12th NBA season, Smart recently reflected on one of his early career highlights: defending Kobe Bryant. The guard said his first matchup with the Lakers legend is a memory he “will never forget,” underscoring Smart’s long-standing respect for the franchise he now joins.
Training camp opens this fall, when Smart will get his first opportunity to translate his experience into Harper-like contributions for a roster with championship aspirations.
Source: Lakers Nation
