Fans reacted to the Boston Celtics alum joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA Fans React to Marcus Smart, Lakers News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Over the years, plenty of Boston Celtics alumni have gone on to join the Los Angeles Lakers and vice versa. The most notable ones include the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Rajon Rondo, Gary Payton, Dennis Schroder, Isaiah Thomas, and Rick Fox.
Sometimes, this has worked out for both sides. In the Lakers' case, Rondo and Fox helped them win titles after joining them. In the Celtics' case, Don Nelson helped them win titles after he left the Lakers for them.
Other times, it hasn't amounted to much. O'Neal played for Boston for one season, but by the time he got there, he was 38 years old and not the player he once was. He didn't help the Celtics win a title any more than Schroder did both times he played for the Lakers.
And now there's another notable Celtics alum joining the Lakers. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Celtics alum Marcus Smart will finalize a buyout with the Washington Wizards and will join the Lakers on a two-year contract worth $11 million when he clears waivers.
"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," Charania wrote. "A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year."
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
The news about Smart excited Lakers fans.
"Lakers 2026 champs," one declared in light of Smart signing with them.
"I have no idea what Smart has left in the tank, but he’s definitely the right archetype. Big deal for LA if he can still defend at a high level," another wrote.
"Very big pickup for the lakers here, Needle has just moved, He isn’t scared to get on Luka if need be as well, Lakers are now for sure top 3 in the west," one decreed.
Celtics fans were less than enthused about Smart joining the Lakers.
"NOT THE LAKERS," one wrote with a GIF of a man screaming.
"Shotgun to the chest," another wrote with a heartbreak emoji.
"This is the worst day of my life," another declared.
Smart played for the Celtics from 2014 to 2023. He is the first ex-Celtic to play for the Lakers since Schroder re-joined them for the 2022-23 season.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
