Washington is now positioned to take on salary from other teams using its mid-level exception and trade exceptions.

Luka Dončić is evidently a playmaker on and off the court. Bringing Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Lakers was a team effort, one in which Dončić played a meaningful role. On Tuesday, Smart spoke with reporters for his introductory Lakers news conference and credited the recruiting efforts of Dončić as one reason why he's in Los Angeles after reaching a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards.

Veteran guard Marcus Smart is the newest Los Angeles Laker after (1) the Washington Wizards bought out his contract, and (2) Lakers superstar Luka Doncic pushed to get him over to La La Land and into the Purple and Gold. As the story goes, Doncic reached ...

Despite his long ties to the Celtics, Smart expects Boston fans to boo him when he faces the team in a Lakers uniform this season. Smart signed with one of the Celtics' biggest rivals by joining the Lakers on a two-year, $11 million deal this offseason.