“NBA on ALERT: Lakers Aren’t Done Yet—Smart Signing Sets Up a MONSTER Trade Everyone Fears”

The Los Angeles Lakers have pulled the trigger on a move that few saw coming but everyone should have expected.

The signing of Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year and the emotional leader of every locker room he’s entered, isn’t just a roster upgrade.

It’s bait.

It’s the first calculated step in a far deeper strategy designed to catch the league off guard and weaponize the Lakers’ roster for a deep championship run.

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This isn’t about a single player.

It’s about a chain reaction.

And the next move? It could shake the NBA to its very core.

Smart brings intensity, defensive tenacity, and an edge the Lakers haven’t consistently had since their 2020 bubble championship run.

He’s not just a point-of-attack defender or vocal leader.

He’s a statement.

The Lakers are no longer trying to “run it back.

” They’re rebuilding a completely new identity around toughness, experience, and calculated aggression.

That identity starts with Smart, but it won’t end with him.

League insiders, beat reporters, and rival executives are all whispering the same thing: the Lakers aren’t done.

In fact, their most dangerous move may be right around the corner.

It’s no secret that the Lakers front office has been under pressure.

With LeBron James approaching the twilight of his historic career and Anthony Davis still in his prime but not always healthy, the franchise knows the window is closing.

Smart’s arrival signals that the Lakers aren’t wasting time.

The Lakers Just Pulled off A ROBBERY by Signing Marcus Smart! | NEW LOOK  Lakers Roster with Smart!

They’re going all in, and that means one thing—another piece is coming.

One that could redefine the hierarchy of the Western Conference.

Rumors have swirled for weeks.

Names like Dejounte Murray, Lauri Markkanen, and even Zach LaVine have been loosely tied to L.A.

But now, with Smart in place, the puzzle begins to reveal its shape.

The Lakers don’t just want another star—they want a two-way threat who can play off Smart, complement LeBron and AD, and elevate the second unit.

And more importantly, they now have the assets to make something big happen.

D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract.

Rui Hachimura.

A trove of future picks.

Even Austin Reaves, beloved though he is, isn’t off the table if the right player becomes available.

This isn’t just about talent.

It’s about message.

The Lakers are letting the league know that the passive, injury-riddled, chemistry-lacking version of themselves is gone.

In its place is a version built for playoff warfare.

Smart’s impact in Boston was undeniable.

He dragged that team into relevance with sheer willpower, often leading emotionally even when he wasn’t leading statistically.

The Lakers are betting that energy can be transplanted into Hollywood and set the tone for a roster that’s been, at times, too quiet.

But what makes this move truly seismic isn’t what’s already happened—it’s what’s clearly coming.

Sources close to the team suggest Rob Pelinka has been aggressively working the phones, testing interest around the league, and building toward a second domino.

Marcus Smart will sign with the Lakers after getting a buyout from Wizards,  AP source says - Yahoo Sports

With the new CBA limiting flexibility, timing is everything.

The Lakers know they must strike now, while contracts are still movable and veterans are hungry for rings.

And if a second trade is executed before training camp, they could enter the season as the most complete roster in the West.

There’s also the Bronny James factor.

With LeBron’s son officially joining the team, the Lakers must navigate the delicate balance between sentimental legacy and competitive urgency.

Adding Smart is a nod to both: protect LeBron in his final years, and protect Bronny as he transitions into the league.

But don’t be surprised if the next move is more cutthroat.

Sentimentality doesn’t win championships—tough decisions do.

Fans are already buzzing.

Social media exploded within minutes of Smart’s signing, with reactions ranging from “Finally, a dog in the backcourt” to “What’s the next chess move?” Even NBA players weighed in, with one anonymous veteran telling a reporter, “If the Lakers add one more piece with Marcus in the fold, they might be the deepest team in the league.

No lie. ”

Of course, none of this guarantees anything.

Chemistry can’t be built overnight.

Smart’s style isn’t for everyone.

And integrating new pieces, especially if the Lakers swing for a high-usage star, comes with risks.

Lakers' next move after landing Marcus Smart is painfully obvious

But what’s clear is that this team is no longer waiting for fortune to favor them.

They’re going out and forcing the issue.

The Lakers have set the trap.

Marcus Smart is the bait.

The pressure is mounting.

And when the next move drops—when the trade hits that fills the last gap, redefines the rotation, and sends a ripple through the standings—don’t say you weren’t warned.

Because the Lakers just went from retooling to reloading.

And the NBA isn’t ready for what’s next.