Luka Dončić is evidently a playmaker on and off the court. Bringing Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Lakers was a team effort, one in which Dončić played a meaningful role. On Tuesday, Smart spoke with reporters for his introductory Lakers news conference and credited the recruiting efforts of Dončić as one reason why he's in Los Angeles after reaching a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards.

Buyouts have been the Lakers’ biggest help this offseason as both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart picked Los Angeles after unexpectedly leaving their prior teams. In each case, the Lakers were well-positioned to take advantage of the situation.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to sign two-way guard Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million deal after he was bought out by the Washington Wizards. Smart,