NBA rumors: Knicks reportedly eye former Defensive Player of the Year also on Lakers’ radar

Following a historic 2024-25 campaign in which they ended a 25-year drought without reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are reloading for next season. As part of that process, they’ve reportedly set their sights on a player who is also on the radar of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Per a source, the Knicks are monitoring the situation with Marcus Smart,” New York Basketball reported Thursday via their X account. If this move progresses, it would mark the third addition to the squad under new head coach Mike Brown, who was recently hired to replace Tom Thibodeau.

So far, New York has added two players to the roster for the upcoming season. Guerschon Yabusele joined as a free agent after a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, while Jordan Clarkson signed a one-year deal after parting ways with the Utah Jazz through a buyout agreement.

Smart played the final stretch of the regular season with the Washington Wizards after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies in February. Across both teams during the 2024-25 season, he appeared in 34 games, starting in only 7 of them.

For the guard, the chance to join the Knicks could be appealing. While it’s unlikely that his role would be significantly bigger than it was on his previous teams, he would at least have the opportunity to contribute to a squad that enters the season with high expectations to replicate last year’s success.

Marcus has played both point guard and shooting guard throughout his career, and in those positions, Mike Brown has a deep rotation of talent. Jalen Brunson will obviously be the team’s focal point in the backcourt, with Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby also playing major roles. Other options include Delon Wright, Jordan Clarkson, Cameron Payne, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, and Landry Shamet.

At 31 years old, Smart is clearly past the peak of his career, but the experience he has gained over a decade in the NBA makes him an intriguing option for the Knicks. His best years came with the Boston Celtics from 2014 to 2023, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. He was later traded to Memphis and then to Washington, where his role was limited.

However, the Knicks aren’t the only team interested in Smart. A few days ago, NBA insider Anthony Irwin reported that the Lakers were also considering Smart as a potential addition to their roster. That list reportedly includes other guards such as Portland Trail Blazers’ Matisse Thybulle and Chicago Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu.