LA Lakers know exactly what they want from Marcus Smart. And he knows exactly what type of player he wants to be.
There are prospects who come to the NBA like talented clay, but they are unclear in terms of the type of basketball player they want to be.
In 2014, Marcus Smart was the exact opposite when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Smart knew the type of player he wanted to be and played easily alongside his idol, Rajon Rondo.
Rajon Rondo was the young star of the Boston Celtics’ 2008 title winning team and quickly became a fan favorite.
His two-way match was later translated to the LA Lakers and played a key role in the 2020 championship victory.
Speaking in the NBA Draft, Smart discussed how he idolized Rondo and looked forward to playing with him.
He states: “Rondo is a great point guard and he is a great player that reminds me a little.
“He’s defending. He’s long, a span of his wings, and he has a big hand.
“It’s just an amazing feeling and a great opportunity to learn from the guy who was in my seat and in my situation.”
Marcus Smart has replaced Rajon Rondo. The Boston Celtics decided to trade the Rondo for the Dallas Mavericks in December 2014, months after Smart’s arrival.
Smart won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2022, accomplishing something Rondo never before.
Rondo was voted twice for the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2010 and 2011, but never won any individual honors.
Rajon Rondo joined the LA Lakers on a short-term contract in 2018, renewing his contract and playing a key role in his Bubble Championship victory.
Rondo still had a lot to prove, he wanted to show that he could still play at the highest level, and he wanted to win another title.
Marcus Smart has some of the same motivations as his deal with the Lakers. He was dumped by the Celtics in 2023 and spent the last two seasons in Memphis and Washington.
Returning to the big stage with the Lakers, he has more motivations than Rondo.
Smart never won a title in Boston and decides to win one in LA. And that’s the only good news for his new team.