The Lakers’ offseason has been headline-worthy from the jump. From binding LeBron James with a $52.6 million player option, and then adding Deandre Ayton to solidify the frontcourt, it looked like a super-team in the making, but one issue lingered: perimeter defense. The lack of a true point-of-attack stopper had cost them in big moments last season. Fans and analysts alike knew another move was coming. The rumors swirled, but no one predicted what happened next. Just like that, the Lakers may have finally patched their biggest weakness.

Fast forward to now. Shams Charania dropped a bomb on X that sent the Lakers community into meltdown mode. The perfect defensive piece just fell into their lap, but it comes with serious consequences for the current roster. Two familiar faces are suddenly on very thin ice. And guess who played secret agent to make it happen?

Shams broke it: “BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers… A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.” This is massive.

The real kicker? Luka Doncic himself picked up the phone. Reports confirmed “point of attack defender was a position of need for L.A. as well- with Luka Dončić recruiting and reaching out to Smart.” The franchise cornerstone identified the need and actively pursued the solution, showcasing his growing influence within the organization.

Marcus Smart is hungry to prove himself after injury-riddled seasons in Memphis and Washington (just 38 games total!), and gets a golden chance at redemption alongside elite talent. His defensive pedigree is undeniable–the first guard since Gary Payton to win DPOY, still locking down opponents below 40% shooting. Luka’s personal pitch sealed the deal for a defender who craves the big stage. But the math is brutal under the hard cap, putting specific young players squarely on the chopping block. Who is facing the axe?

The roster crunch: who’s on the bubble?

But how’d they pull it off financially? Cap guru Keith Smith clarified it’s likely the Bi-Annual Exception, meaning roster surgery is required. “Waiving Shake Milton will clear $3M, but another move will have to come,” Smith noted. The Lakers are scraping hard under the first-apron hard cap to make room. This isn’t just an addition; it’s a subtraction waiting to happen. And the recruiter? That’s where it gets juicy.

Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis immediately spring to mind. Both are young wings on minimum deals, buried on the depth chart behind Austin Reaves, rookie Dalton Knecht, and now the returning Max Christie. Hood-Schifino, last year’s first-round pick, showed flashes but struggled with efficiency and health.

Lewis offered energy but limited offensive polish. With Smart soaking up backcourt minutes and the LA Lakers prioritizing win-now veterans, their developmental minutes vanish. Keeping them means sacrificing flexibility elsewhere. The other potential casualty? The 15th roster spot itself. The Lakers might simply choose not to fill it immediately after waiving Milton and potentially Hood-Schifino or Lewis.

This preserves a sliver of financial breathing room and keeps a spot open for the buyout market later. It’s a cold calculation: depth vs. cap compliance. Young prospects like Colin Castleton or D’Moi Hodge on two-way offers offer similar upside without the guaranteed cap hit, making the vets expendable.

Ultimately, Smart’s arrival signals a laser focus on contention now. His playoff experience (108 games!) and defensive intensity are invaluable for a team with LeBron James’ closing window and Luka’s title ambitions. Sacrificing young potential for proven, championship-caliber grit is the price. For Hood-Schifino and Lewis, Marcus Smart’s $11M deal likely spells the end of their Laker tenures, collateral damage in the relentless pursuit of banner 18. The front office’s next move will reveal whose jersey gets swapped for the Glove’s spiritual successor.