The Los Angeles Lakers’ two biggest moves came on the buyout market last offseason when they were able to land both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart for below-market deals.
Both players outplayed their contracts and now have player options for 2026-27, giving them the opportunity to decide what they want to do this summer. Ayton’s player option is for $8.1 million while Smart’s is for $5.4 million. It remains to be seen what they will do, but Dan Woike of The Athletic believes Smart is more likely to be back in purple and gold than Ayton:
I’m glad we have these two together in the same question because I think, at least in spirit, the answer is similar. If we’re being completely objective, both Smart and Ayton out-performed their contracts last season in a number of different ways. Getting what turned out to be two starters via buyouts was a godsend for the team as they bridged from whatever they were before the Doncic trade to whatever they’re going to be next. But, to be clear, it was a bridge.
That’s not to say neither will be back (both have player options), but team sources have repeatedly talked about an upgrade at the center position. They’ve also spoken about a desire to get younger and more athletic. If I had to pick one to be back, I’d lean Smart. I just think the Lakers want a more traditional Doncic-style center.
This report shouldn’t come as a huge surprise as Smart fit in perfectly both on the court and off it helping build the Lakers’ culture.
While Ayton looked good at times, he also struggled at others and his attitude wavered as the team asked him to do things he wasn’t accustomed to earlier in his career.
Considering Ayton’s player option is for more money, he is more likely to pick it up than Smart. If he does, then the Lakers could use him as salary filler and an expiring contract in trades if they don’t want to keep the big man.
Smart, meanwhile, is in line for a raise, and depending on what other free agents the Lakers sign, they will know what they can offer the former Defensive Player of the Year. On a team that lacked physicality and point-of-attack defense though, retaining Smart or finding a replacing will be crucial this summer.
Lakers have reportedly called Thunder about Lu Dort
If the Lakers lose Smart, then one potential replacement could be Lu Dort, and they have reportedly already called the Oklahoma City Thunder about the wing’s availability.
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