1 year, $5.39 million! Goodbye, Lakers! Smart may join forces with Durant.

Oh~

Renowned reporters Stein and Fischer jointly reported:It is expected that Smart will decline his $5.39 million player option for the 26-27 season and enter free agency, with multiple teams including the Rockets interested in signing him.

Last season, Smart performed quite well for the Lakers, restoring his market value. In the regular season, he averaged 28.5 minutes per game, recording 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.4 steals, making 1.6 three-pointers per game on 33.1% shooting. In this year's playoffs, he averaged 34.4 minutes per game, contributing 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1 block, making 1.7 three-pointers per game on 34% shooting.

Smart was born on March 6, 1994, now 32 years old. He is a combo guard standing 1.91m tall with a 2.06m wingspan, selected as the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 draft.

In his prime, he was the most feared perimeter defender by opponents. He was named Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) in the 21-22 season and has been selected to the All-Defensive First Team three times.

Back to the main point, the Lakers certainly want to keep Smart, but they fear that other teams might lure him away with high salaries. As mentioned, the Rockets are one of his most active pursuers.

By the way, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka previously coached Smart during their time with the Celtics. This relationship might give the Rockets an advantage in the pursuit.

Imagine the Rockets' potential starting lineup for the 26-27 season: Fred VanVleet, Marcus Smart, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun. It would be quite beautiful, no longer looking as awkward as last season's lineup.

Last season, the Rockets had no genuine starting point guard due to Fred VanVleet's season-ending ACL tear. They had to use Amen Thompson, originally a swingman, as a makeshift point guard. They finished the regular season with a 52-30 record, ranked fifth in the West, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs this year.

It is particularly worth mentioning that, in addition to preparing to sign players in free agency,the Rockets also plan to be active in the trade market. It is reported that they have their eyes on Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard.

The Western Conference arms race is about to officially begin. Let's wait and see.