Marcus Smart may not stay on the Lakers' books at $5.4 million.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that Smart is giving serious consideration to declining his player option for next season before Monday's deadline. Houston is listed as a possible free agent destination, with Smart expected to draw interest from the Rockets and potentially other teams if he reaches the open market.
The Rockets connection is easy to understand. Smart played for Ime Udoka in Boston, and Houston has been building a defensive identity around tough, switchable veterans. Smart still fits that kind of roster if his body holds up.
There is another layer to Houston's planning. The report also says the Rockets are exploring trade avenues to move veteran swingman Dorian Finney-Smith, whose deal has three more seasons at $13.3 million each, though the final two years are not guaranteed.
For the Lakers, Smart's decision would hit a thin defensive group. If he opts out, Los Angeles would have to decide how far it is willing to go to keep him while also managing the rest of its offseason needs. The option number is modest for a guard with his track record, so the market could quickly pull him away.
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