Marcus Smart claims he felt disrespected by the Los Angeles Lakers’ contract offer, which led to him joining the Houston Rockets in free agency instead.
After a couple of disappointing seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards, Marcus Smart seemingly got close to his best once again for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
Immediately after impressing however, Smart declined the second year of his $10.5 million contract and joined the Houston Rockets on a new deal.
The Lakers have fully revamped their roster with LeBron James among the players departing, too. Smart explained how something related to the incoming roster additions coloured his decision.
Marcus Smart says LA Lakers’ offer didn’t ‘match the way I played’
Smart was an influential figure for the Lakers last season. He averaged 9.3 points, three assists and 1.4 steals per game. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 12.9 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals.
Despite this, it seems that Rob Pelinka and LA weren’t willing to give him an extension to match his production. He highlighted that too, when explaining his move.
‘Way worse than…’ Marcus Smart calls
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“First off, I played so well that the offer that was ultimately given didn’t match the way that I played,” Smart said.
“Especially when you see guys who played way worse than I did, the offers they’re getting. And then it wasn’t any security that we wanted that they were willing to do.”
Smart also went on to say that the Rockets gave him the deal he felt he had earned. Many Lakers fans were upset the defensive guard wouldn’t be coming back. It does seem like that chapter was already over for him, though.
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