​The Houston Rockets are reportedly eyeing a reunion with Marcus Smart from the Los Angeles Lakers if he hits free agency. Smart is believed to be weighing his $5.4 million player option with the Lakers, and opting out could make him a highly appealing target for Houston, given their limited salary cap flexibility. In terms of value, Smart would be an excellent bang-for-buck addition for the Rockets.
Smart already has a strong connection with Rockets coach Ime Udoka, having played for Udoka with the Boston Celtics during the 2021-22 season, a year in which Udoka steered Boston to the NBA Finals and Smart earned Defensive Player of the Year. That prior relationship could facilitate an easy and smooth transition to Houston. Both the Rockets and Udoka are defense-minded, and Smart’s defensive IQ has been a standout feature of his career, addressing a need for a veteran guard on a roster that recently lost Fred VanVleet to a serious ACL injury.
Beyond defense, Smart brings playoff experience that would help Houston compete more seriously in the postseason. Ironically, Smart also played a pivotal role in eliminating Houston from last season’s playoffs, contributing over 20 points in multiple games as the Lakers edged the Rockets in the first round. If he joins Houston, the move would be advantageous for the Rockets while being harmful to the Lakers, given the rivalry between the two teams in the Western Conference.
Smart’s fit in Houston could hinge more on leadership and experience than heavy minutes, especially since he is 32 years old and the Rockets have promising younger players. Even so, his veteran presence, his established rapport with Udoka, and his extensive playoff résumé would be valuable assets for Houston’s development and late-season push. The decision deadline is June 29, when Smart must choose whether to decline the Lakers’ option, and if he does, a reunion with Udoka in Houston could be on the horizon. Will this potential courtship tilt the odds in Houston’s favor and elevate them as a more serious Western Conference contender?