The Phoenix Suns reportedly had interest in guard Marcus Smart, who will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after agreeing to a buyout with the Washington Wizards, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Milwaukee Bucks were a third team showing “serious interest” in Smart, ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
He ultimately chose the Lakers in part because of a recruiting pitch made by Luka Doncic, according to Stein.
Smart will sign a two-year, $11 million deal in L.A. with a player option on the second year, per Charania, structured the same as the deal former Suns guard Bradley Beal signed with the Los Angeles Clippers after agreeing to a buyout with Phoenix.
Suns’ PG depth remains shallow after missing out on Marcus Smart
While Smart’s assists per game last season (3.2 over 34 games) were his lowest since his second year in the NBA, it was still higher than anyone currently on the Suns not named Devin Booker (7.1) or Jalen Green (3.4).
His point of attack defense would’ve been easily the biggest draw anyway, as he is ferocious on smaller ball handlers and capable of guarding up the lineup. He has averaged at least 1.5 steals per game in all but two seasons.
His skillset fits everything owner Mat Ishbia and general manager Brian Gregory have preached about a tough, defensive culture they’re trying to instill in the post-Big 3 era.
With Phoenix missing out on Smart — and pending any forthcoming moves — Collin Gillespie remains the Suns’ only true point guard.
Gillespie broke through while starring in a fourth-quarter comeback against the Clippers. He had 10 points and three assists in fewer than 15 minutes.
Without that game, he likely doesn’t log at least 15 minutes in 14 of the final 15 games (nine starts). During that stretch, he averaged 8.9 points (41.7% from 3) and 3.6 assists per game.
Phoenix rosters four shooting guards — Booker, Green, Grayson Allen and two-way rookie Koby Brea — while Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale are shooting guard-sized wings. It has two open roster spots.
