LOS ANGELES – The Lakers front office knows it can’t sit still. After landing Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia early in free agency, momentum has cooled fast despite the roster needing more work. There is Marcus Smart buzz growing as Rob Pelinka and the Lakers eye the former DPOY to fix defensive gaps before training camp. This is according to reports from Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints.
Lakers In Talks For Marcus Smart, Other Excellent 3-And-D Wings
The team heads into Las Vegas Summer League with a clear agenda — find a reliable point-of-attack defender. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves form a dangerous offensive pairing but need strong support behind them. The Marcus Smart rumors underline how desperate the Lakers are to solve this.
Marcus Smart Headlines the Wishlist
Smart tops the board. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has pedigree nobody else on the market offers. His grit could lift the Lakers’ soft perimeter defense. But Smart’s recent struggles raise real questions.
Since Boston traded him, Smart hasn’t stayed on the floor enough. Injuries chipped away at the menace he used to be. He’s still only 30, but nagging setbacks add risk.
Sources told ClutchPoints most teams are waiting to see if Smart gets bought out. That could make the Lakers pursuit of Marcus Smart less costly. The Lakers could mirror what the Thunder did with Alex Caruso — manage minutes and keep legs fresh for playoff time.
Other Names on the Radar
Smart isn’t the only name circling L.A.’s front office meetings. Matisse Thybulle keeps popping up, too. Thybulle once looked like a generational defender with the Sixers, but the shine has faded.
Injuries ruined last season — Thybulle suited up just 15 times. His defense remains solid, but his shooting never evolved. He’s a 34.3% career shooter from deep, on low volume. The Smart option feels safer for the Lakers than betting on Thybulle’s jumper suddenly unlocking.
Then there’s Ayo Dosunmu. The 25-year-old might be the most intriguing of the bunch. Dosunmu’s defensive energy could match what the Lakers need alongside Luka. He’s young, switchable, and plays with hunger.
Shooting is his swing skill. He drilled 40.3% from three two seasons ago but dipped to 32.8% last year. If he stabilizes that shot, Dosunmu might offer the best two-way upside in this hunt.
The Big Picture for L.A.
Adding Ayton gives them muscle in the paint. But with Luka and Reaves, the perimeter looks vulnerable. They can’t afford to run through the West without a guard who sets the tone defensively.
Smart won’t fix everything alone. But he brings leadership, attitude, and an instant identity on defense. If the Lakers convince Wizards to move him or if he hits the buyout market, Pelinka must be ready.
Smart’s injury history forces caution. But at the right price, he’s worth the gamble — especially if the Lakers watch his workload and keep him fresh for April and May.
What Happens Next?
The Lakers-Marcus Smart saga could heat up fast if buyout talks gain traction. For now, all eyes turn to Summer League. The front office will keep working the phones, measuring offers for Thybulle, Dosunmu, and other fallback plans.
This roster is not as far from serious contention as people think it is. Adding the right stopper makes them far more dangerous in the playoffs. If the Lakers plan for Smart, Dosunmu or Thybulle comes through, L.A. might finally have the dog they need at the point of attack.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The post Lakers In Talks For Former DPOY, Other Excellent 3-And-D Wings appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.