The Los Angeles Lakers are close to reaching their peak form, according to Marcus Smart originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a 34-22 record, which puts them firmly in the Playoffs. They are only a game behind the third-seeded Denver Nuggets, so the potential is there for the Lakers to break into the top seeds and become one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
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The potential is quite palpable, knowing that the Lakers have suffered through all types of injuries this season. This includes their star players, as Austin Reaves and LeBron James missed huge chunks of the season, while Luka Doncic has also been in and out of the lineup.
Smart believes in the Lakers’ potential when healthy
As one of the veterans of the Lakers roster, Marcus Smart has been a consistent figure and leader for the team. He might not be on the same level as the Lakers’ stars, but he is an impactful player who knows what it takes to win games.
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From his perspective, the Lakers are still missing their consistency. Throughout the 2025-26 season, their star players have been in and out of the lineup. It has not been the best campaign because of that, but when they are playing, they are one of the best teams in the league.
MORE: Lakers’ JJ Redick reveals what is preventing LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic from winning
Smart makes a good point because James, Doncic, and Reaves have barely shared the floor all season. The Lakers’ potential hinges on them playing together, and moving forward, they hope to be as healthy as they can be.
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“We’re good. The talent is there, we’ve got the pieces. It’s just making them mesh. We haven’t been healthy, which is a big part when you’re trying to get pieces to mesh,” Smart said after a Lakers practice on Monday
“We go through different lineups, but I think that’s gonna help us in the long run because we get to see different lineups, spots, and roles, but we got some work to do.”
With JJ Redick at the helm, he is well aware that the Lakers have not realized their potential this season. The future is bright, and they will need to keep fighting so they can stay in the upper echelon of the Western Conference. His players know it, and all they have to do is deliver when they get healthier.
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