Free-agent guard Marcus Smart has reached a two-year, $13 million agreement with the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The contract includes a player option for the second season.
The deal, reported on July 1, 2026, ends Smart’s one-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he declined a player option for 2026-27 to test free agency. The 32-year-old reunites in Houston with head coach Ime Udoka, under whom he previously played in Boston.
Key numbers from last season
Despite injuries in prior years, Smart averaged 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals during the 2025-26 regular season, ranking among league leaders in charges drawn. In the playoffs he moved into a primary playmaking role after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined, raising his averages to 12.9 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals while helping Los Angeles reach the Western Conference semifinals.
Impact on Lakers roster
The Lakers now look to replace Smart’s perimeter defense and locker-room presence. Internally, second-year guard Adou Thiero is expected to see an expanded role, and first-round draft pick Cameron Carr has stated his intention to become a primary defender. Externally, the club has been linked to free agents Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), Cameron Johnson (Denver Nuggets) and Ziaire Williams (Brooklyn Nets).
What Smart brings to Houston
Houston, viewed last season as short on veteran leadership and table-setting at point guard, adds a former Defensive Player of the Year who can mentor a young backcourt and set the tone defensively.
The Rockets are scheduled to open training camp in late September, when Smart is expected to join a rotation featuring Tari Eason, Jalen Green and fellow veterans under Udoka.
Source: LakersNation.com
