The veteran guard intends to sign with the Los Angelos Lakers
The Washington Wizards have reached a buyout agreement with guard Marcus Smart, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
Smart intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers upon clearing waivers. The move opens up a roster spot for Washington while allowing Smart, 31, to join a contender.
Washington acquired Smart in February — a deal made by the Wizards in large part to acquire Memphis’ 2025 first-round pick in exchange for taking on Smart’s bloated salary.
Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins turned that pick, No. 18, into Will Riley (No. 21), Jamir Watkins (No. 43), and 2031 and 2032 second-round picks.
Smart was on a $20.5 million expiring deal for the 2025-26 season. It’s unclear at this time how much the veteran guard gave back in his buyout agreement.
In a separate move, the Wizards reached a buyout agreement with guard Blake Wesley, who the team acquired from San Antonio in the Kelly Olynyk trade, per Hoops Hype’s Mike Scotto. Wesley now has time to find a new team, and the Wizards continue to trim down their roster.
Update: Blake Wesley agreed to a buyout with the Wizards to allow the former Spurs first-round pick to become a free agent, sources told @hoopshype. Wesley, a strong perimeter defender, shot 37% on threes in the second half last season and expects to land in a new role elsewhere. https://t.co/LmCXVRH9jR
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 19, 2025
Buying out Smart and Wesley opens up backup point guard minutes for either AJ Johnson or Malaki Branham, clearing a log jam at the guard position.
Washington is now at the allowable 15 standard NBA contracts on their roster after buying out Smart and Wesley. Their updated roster is as follows.
Guards: Bub Carrington, CJ McCollum, Tre Johnson, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham
Wings: Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Justin Champagnie, Corey Kispert, Will Riley, Cam Whitmore, Dillon Jones
Forwards: Alex Sarr, Marvin Bagley III
Two-way: Tristan Vukcevic, Jamir Watkins, Jaylen Martin