Free agent guard Marcus Smart has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Houston Rockets, according to league sources reported by ESPN.
The deal includes a player option for the second season.
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Smart, the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, will reunite with head coach Ime Udoka in Houston.
Udoka previously coached Smart during their time with the Boston Celtics.
Smart declined a $5.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers to enter unrestricted free agency, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
During his single season with the Lakers, he averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals across 62 games.
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His departure follows the exits of LeBron James and Luke Kennard, part of a roster restructuring around Luka Doncic.
The Lakers now plan to seek perimeter defenders on minimum contracts to fill the void.
According to The Athletic, the Rockets targeted Smart to reinforce their backcourt depth alongside Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
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This need became urgent during Fred VanVleet's recovery from an ACL injury.
