Lakers surge on defense with Marcus Smart addition to the mix of Ayton, LaRavia and Hayes
The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing their off-season reshaping, loading up on a blend of size, shooting and defense. After adding Deandre Ayton to shore up the center position and bringing in 23-year-old shooting-forward Jake LaRavia, the team re-signed big man Jaxson Hayes. In July, they also landed a proven defensive stalwart, Marcus Smart, after his contract was bought out by the Washington Wizards.
Smart, who won Defensive Player of the Year three seasons ago, instantly bolsters a backcourt known for its effort and grit. Even as the defense might look different as he adjusts to a new system, Smart brings ball-handling, playmaking and veteran leadership that the Lakers expect will amplify the club’s overall readiness on both ends of the floor. The addition of Smart comes with a sense of history as well; in a video marking NBA Defense Week, Smart recalled the first time he guarded Kobe Bryant, describing the moment as one he’ll never forget and noting the pride of sharing the court with one of the game’s all-time greats.
Smart’s first matchup against Bryant came during Bryant’s final season in 2015-16. He held Bryant to 5-for-18 shooting in a game that the Celtics lost 112-104, a standout moment in his early NBA career that underscored his reputation as one of the league’s toughest on-ball defenders. That pedigree is precisely what the Lakers hope to recapture on a roster looking to close gaps on the defensive end.
With Ayton providing interior presence and Hayes re-signed to anchor the frontcourt alongside LaRavia’s shooting and length, Los Angeles is aiming for a more balanced mix of size, versatility and toughness. Smart’s role is expected to extend beyond defense; his experience and decision-making could help stabilize lineups and empower younger players as the team charts its path in a competitive Western Conference.
If Smart can blend his stalwart defense with the Lakers’ existing core, the club could see a tangible uptick in both transition defense and late-game execution. Bryant’s legacy looms large in the backdrop, and the addition of a defender with that kind of mentality is likely to be viewed with a smile by Lakers fans who remember Kobe’s own standards of excellence.
Summary: The Lakers have retooled around their veteran core by adding Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Jaxson Hayes, then adding Marcus Smart to strengthen defense and leadership. Smart’s history against Kobe Bryant and his Defensive Player of the Year pedigree position him as a potential key in a season that aims for more grit, versatility, and smart decision-making on both ends of the floor.
Additional value notes:
– Potential starting lineup considerations could feature Smart at guard, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis benefiting from improved spacing and interior protection by Ayton, while LaRavia adds size and shooting on the wing.
– Defensive plan might emphasize Smart’s on-ball pressure and switching versatility, paired with Ayton’s rim protection and Hayes’ physicality in the frontcourt.
– Positive outlook: the mix of experience and youth provides a framework for more sustainable competitiveness in a deep conference, with a focus on defense-first tenacity and reliable decision-making.
If you’d like, I can draft a brief lineup projection for opening night, along with a quick tactical breakdown of how the Lakers might deploy these pieces in different matchups.