Marcus Smart is headed to the Lakers, adding a defensive spark and veteran leadership to a roster that already reworked the frontcourt with Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Jaxson Hayes. The move signals a clear emphasis on perimeter toughness and switchability as LA aims to blunt elite backcourts and create more on-ball disruption.

Smart’s memory of guarding Kobe Bryant during Bryant’s final season embodies the momentous shift, a badge of honor that now travels with him in purple and gold. That mamba mentality, paired with Smart’s DPOY pedigree, paints a picture of a defense-first backcourt anchored by a fearless, high-IQ defender who can also facilitate and pace LA’s offense in spurts.

In short, the Lakers are betting on a tougher, more disruptive identity around Smart, Ayton, Hayes and LaRavia, with the goal of raising the floor on defense and giving LeBron James and the rest of the rotation cleaner paths to scoring and transition opportunities.