LOS ANGELES — Veteran guard Marcus Smart will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after receiving a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Wizards had yet to announce their buyout of Smart. The standout defender and two-way contributor excelled for the rival Boston Celtics for nine seasons before spending the past two years with Memphis and Washington.

Smart will get a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers to join their supporting cast around Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles filled its biggest offseason need earlier this month by signing center Deandre Ayton.

Smart was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 for the Celtics, wh

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