The Los Angeles Lakers officially signed veteran point guard Marcus Smart on Tuesday, three days after it was reported he agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year says Doncic reaching out “meant a lot,” adding that the chance to play alongside LeBron James was also part of the appeal.

Marcus Smart, at his introductory news conference with the Lakers on Tuesday, credited Luka Doncic for recruiting him to Los Angeles.

After two seasons derailed by injuries, Smart is eyeing a bounce-back with the Lakers: "I think there's no ceiling."

And despite some of the reported interest from the Celtics side, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Smart signed with, the Phoenix Suns, and the Milwaukee Bucks were the three teams that seriously pursued him. He didn't add the Celtics, which is a telling sign of where their interest stood.

Marcus Smart speaks for the first time as a member of the Lakers and tells the media about his friendly history with Luka Doncic.

Luka Doncic reportedly helped recruit Smart to the Lakers. In addition, a clip from "The Old Man & the Three" podcast has been unearthed where Lakers coach JJ Redick had some glowing things to say about the former Defensive Player of the Year. In the clip, which is from 2020, Redick said that Smart is the type of player he would want on his team.