Marcus Smart Calls Lakers Offer Disrespectful, Joins Rockets
Marcus Smart signed a two-year deal with Houston after rejecting what he called a disrespectful offer from the Lakers.
Marcus Smart has joined the Houston Rockets on a two-year, $12.4 million contract, a move he says was motivated by a desire to play closer to his Texas home and dissatisfaction with the Los Angeles Lakers' offer in free agency. The veteran guard, speaking at the team's media day in an interview with Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle, labeled the Lakers' proposal as disrespectful.
Smart was displeased with the financial terms and lack of security in the Lakers' offer. He pointed to his performance last season, which saw him appear in 62 games and become a starter for a 53-win playoff team, as justification for a better deal. The contract he ultimately signed with Houston includes a player option for the second season, giving him future flexibility.
"They gave me an opportunity to be able to go out and try to get what I've earned," Smart told Shankar. He acknowledged the Rockets' deal is for less money than he could have made by staying with the Lakers but values the chance to prove himself again.
Kevin Durant's Future Unaddressed
Meanwhile, Rockets star Kevin Durant declined to discuss his contractual future with reporters. Durant holds a $46 million player option for the 2027-28 season. General manager Rafael Stone stated Durant is happy in Houston, but the forward himself would not speculate on his decision.
"I'm not thinking about anything like that," Durant said. I've enjoyed coming into work every day. It's been fun going through the process with everybody.
VanVleet's Return Aids Durant
A significant subplot for the upcoming season is the return of point guard Fred VanVleet from a torn ACL that cost him the entire previous campaign. According to Shankar's reporting, VanVleet's presence should relieve Durant of primary ball-handling duties, a role that contributed to an increased turnover rate for Durant last season. The pairing is expected to make Durant an even more potent offensive threat.
Sengun Targets Consistent Excellence
Center Alperen Sengun used media day to outline his elevated ambitions as he enters his sixth NBA season. A two-time All-Star, Sengun expressed a desire to make the annual game a regular expectation rather than a question mark.
I was an All-Star two times, but that's not enough, Sengun said. I want to be there every year.
The Rockets' media day wove together these threads of new arrivals, returning stars, and championship aspirations as the team prepares for the new season.
