Marcus Smart is a former Kia Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Former Kia Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart has reached a deal with the Rockets. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Houston and Smart have settled on a two-year, $13 million deal. Last season, Smart posted 9.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3 apg and 1.4 spg in 62 games.
Free agent guard Marcus Smart has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Houston Rockets, plus a player option for the second season, sources tell ESPN. The former Defensive Player of the Year reunites with Ime Udoka for significant opportunity in the Rockets backcourt. pic.twitter.com/NzfArD8zbF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
Smart and the Lakers ousted the Rockets in six games in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Smart was particularly strong in that series, averaging 14.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.5 apg and 2.7 spg as he continually stymied Houston’s backcourt with key defensive plays.
In Houston, he’ll pair with promising guard Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard — as well as veteran All-Star forward Kevin Durant and center Alperen Sengun — to give the Rockets additional depth. The Rockets further remodeled their backcourt earlier in free agency as they reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Bogdan Bogdanović early this morning.