The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a crucial offseason with multiple roster decisions still unresolved, and two names reportedly remain important to their plans: Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard.
According to reporting tied to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers have interest in retaining both players as they continue shaping a roster around Luka Dončić. Kennard is expected to enter unrestricted free agency, while Smart has a player option decision involving the final year of his contract.
Kennard’s value is easy to understand.
In a system built around a high-level creator like Dončić, shooting becomes essential. Kennard’s perimeter accuracy gives the Lakers the kind of floor-spacing threat that can punish defenses for loading up on Luka. His ability to play a larger offensive role when needed also makes him more than just a stationary shooter.
Smart brings a very different kind of value.
While Kennard helps stretch the floor, Smart provides toughness, defensive pressure, communication, and veteran leadership. As a former Defensive Player of the Year, he gives the Lakers an edge on the perimeter and a player capable of handling difficult defensive assignments in high-pressure situations.
Together, the appeal is clear.
Kennard gives Los Angeles shooting. Smart gives them defense and grit. Around Dončić, both skill sets matter. A team built around Luka needs spacing, but it also needs players who can defend, compete, and survive playoff matchups against elite guards and wings.
The challenge is cost.
The Lakers still have other major decisions to make, including the futures of LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and other rotation pieces. Every dollar matters, and keeping multiple contributors could force the front office to make difficult choices elsewhere.
For Los Angeles, the question is not simply whether Smart and Kennard are useful players.
The question is whether they are the right pieces at the right price.
If the Lakers can retain both without sacrificing too much roster flexibility, they could help create a more balanced team around Dončić. But if the market becomes too expensive, the front office may be forced to prioritize shooting, defense, or long-term flexibility.
For now, no final decisions have been made.
But as free agency approaches, Smart and Kennard could become two of the most important names in determining what the Lakers’ next supporting cast around Luka will look like.
