Rockets' Marcus Smart Sounds Off on Lakers for 'Disrespectful' Contract Offer that Led to Houston
Smart said the Lakers’ offer did not match his play, and he signed a two-year, $12.4 million deal with Houston instead.
- Marcus Smart signed a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Houston Rockets after declining a contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers he called "disrespectful."
- Smart, 32, played for the Lakers during the 2025-26 season, averaging 9.3 points and 1.4 steals per game in a low-usage role before entering free agency.
- The veteran guard criticized the Lakers' offer for failing to match his performance or provide security. "First off, I played so well that the offer that was ultimately given didn't match the way that I played," Smart said.
- Smart described the new Houston roster as a "scary" unit, while coach Ime Udoka said the organization aims beyond the first round. "We want to make some real noise," Udoka said on Tuesday.
- The Rockets open their season October 21 against the Dallas Mavericks, with their first Lakers matchup set for November 30. Fred VanVleet expects the team to improve, noting the roster was designed for players to return to natural positions.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Marcus Smart Rips Lakers' "Disrespectful" Contract Decisions as Reason for His Departure Comes Out
Marcus Smart’s one-season stay with the LA Lakers ended in a salty departure. He joined the Houston Rockets this summer. His explanation for doing so has now put the spotlight back on LA. The veteran guard believed the Lakers’ offer failed to reflect what he had given the team during his brief stint. For Smart, […]
Rockets' Marcus Smart sounds off on Lakers for 'disrespectful' contract offer that led to Houston
There was a lot of curiosity as to why Marcus Smart didn't re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. It turns out there may be no love lost between the two.
Marcus Smart Calls Out Lakers 'Disrespectful' Contract Offer After Signing with Rockets in NBA FA
Marcus Smart ended up playing just one season with the Los Angeles Lakers after they offered him a contract this offseason he called "disrespectful," per Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle.
Marcus Smart says the Lakers disrespected him
Marcus Smart clearly has no love lost for his former team. The new Houston Rockets guard Smart spoke this week in an interview to Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle. During the interview, Smart took a swipe at his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Smart left the Lakers this offseason to sign with the …
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