Marcus Smart has revealed the decision on how Luka Doncic's insistence helped him join the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason.
During his first press conference on Purple and Gold, the point guard recalled the first news from his agent, and Don Sici had reached out for a potential move.
“My agent, I'm here for the first time, I'm working out, I get a call from the agent saying Luka reaches out and I think, yes, anyway,” Smart said. “And the other day, Luca stretched out again. It's real now, it's no longer what, it's real, it's something we need to talk about. Like I said, it's a really great feeling, like I said, it's what makes me excited here, I'm so excited.”
Marcus Smart talks about Luka Doncic's efforts to recruit him in Los Angeles before this summer, and they don't have a mutual respectful relationship like their competitors: “It's always a flower” pic.twitter.com/4k4kpi3tqu
– Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 22, 2025
Now, Smart is paired with Doncic, looking forward to adding his defensive versatility and leadership to the Lakers for a playoff run.
“You know, when you get a call from someone like Luca, quote, check you, try to see where you are looking,” Smart said. “And if you want to come, join in something special about him trying to cook here. To make him say, to see that he can really use my help, that means a lot. There's a lot of competition for Luca, in a lot of the opposite, you know, Luca magic.
When asked if there was any prior relationship between the two, Smart acknowledged that it was a multi-year competition rather than a relationship.
“I won't say it's a relationship, but we definitely have mutual understanding and respect for each other,” Smart said. “After every game, playing, it's always flowers. The way to go, keep going, keep going and keep those guys going and vice versa.”
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