Marcus Smart Says Health Reset Has Him Ready for Lakers Spotlight
marcus-smart-lakers-media-day-excited-return-big-stage
LOS ANGELES — Guard Marcus Smart said the past two seasons tested him physically and mentally, but the veteran believes a healthy offseason sets him up to contribute immediately after joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, at Media Day inside the UCLA Health Training Center, Smart described his move to Los Angeles as a return to “the big stage” following a two-year stretch marked by injuries and multiple stops. The 31-year-old agreed to a two-year contract with the Lakers after the Washington Wizards bought out the remainder of his deal.
“These last two years were rough, hopping from team to team and dealing with injuries,” Smart told reporters. “This summer was all about getting as healthy as possible. You never reach 100 percent, but you try to get close, and that’s my goal.”
Smart, who will line up alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, acknowledged carrying “a chip on my shoulder” after speculation he could no longer impact games the way he once did. “People probably forgot a little bit about what I bring to the table,” he said. “This season is huge for me to remind them.”
A former Defensive Player of the Year, Smart is expected to anchor the perimeter defense and serve as a secondary playmaker. Team icon James Worthy likened the signing to the Lakers adding Ron Harper in the late 1990s, citing Smart’s edge and versatility.
Training camp opens this week, giving Smart his first on-court opportunity to prove the off-season work paid off.
Source: LakersNation.com
