Marcus Smart’s 2024-25 NBA campaign was anything but steady. The former Defensive Player of the Year kicked off the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but his tenure there was brief, culminating in a trade to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline. His time in Washington was equally fleeting; he played only 15 games before he reappeared in trade discussions.
In the early offseason, the Miami Heat reportedly investigated a possible trade involving veteran guards Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier, considering a swap that would bring Smart to Miami in exchange for Rozier.
However, internal disagreements prevented any progress on the deal. NBA insider Marc Stein noted that some figures within the Heat organization were unsure if Smart represented a clear upgrade over Rozier.
“Sources say Miami has explored the feasibility of trading away veteran guard Terry Rozier this offseason. Jake says Miami weighed a Rozier-for-Smart swap but could not reach an organizational consensus on whether such a trade was a clear upgrade,” the report detailed.
Some people within the Heat’s organization weren’t sure if Marcus Smart was a clear upgrade over Terry Rozier, per @TheSteinLine
“Sources say Miami has explored the feasibility of trading away veteran guard Terry Rozier this offseason. Jake says Miami weighed a Rozier-for-Smart… pic.twitter.com/gOnVl70ewg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 29, 2025
Ultimately, Smart and the Wizards negotiated a buyout agreement, leading to fresh opportunities. This opened the door for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire the seasoned guard, reportedly after Luka Doncic recommended the acquisition.
Marcus Smart Reflects On Patience During Recovery
Since joining the Grizzlies, Smart’s role has been diminished. In a recent conversation with Spectrum SportsNet, he reflected on how his time off the court has altered his perspective.
“I would have to say the last two seasons taught me about myself that patience is a virtue. I’m the type of guy, I want to play through everything, no matter what. No matter the pain, no matter the stress, I want to be on the court. So, being patient enough to understand that my time is going to come, wherever, whenever that may be, but it’s going to come,” Smart stated.
Last season, Smart played a total of just 34 games across both Memphis and Washington, averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Image Source: Terry Rozier @ Instagram
