Lakers urged to re-sign $10.5M veteran defensive menace to pair with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers made a shocking move at last season’s trade deadline by acquiring Luka Dončić. After an abrupt end to their postseason run, Dončić made it clear that he wants moves that will help the team win now.

“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.

One move Dončić directly influenced was the addition of Marcus Smart, recruiting him immediately after he was waived by the Washington Wizards.

“News broke Saturday that the Los Angeles Lakers, following the Washington Wizards' buyout of veteran guard Marcus Smart, plan to sign the three-time All-Defense first team member to a two-year contract after he clears waivers. And as it turns out, the Lakers' front office received an assist from five-time All-Star Luka Doncic, who helped recruit Smart to Hollywood. Doncic reached out to Smart and emphasized how much he wanted to play with the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, according to Shams Charania of ESPN,”