US Media: Smart to Join Rockets, Agrees to 2-Year, $13 Million Deal

(CNA Los Angeles, July 1st, Foreign News) American sports media ESPN reported today that the NBA's Houston Rockets will sign free agent Marcus Smart to a two-year, $13 million contract.

According to Reuters, Smart played in 62 games (54 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 9.3 points, 3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. In 10 playoff starts, he averaged 12.9 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 steals.

Smart declined his $5.4 million player option with the Lakers on June 29th. According to ESPN, the 32-year-old guard has reached an agreement with the Rockets and has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract.

Smart will reunite with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka. The two previously worked together with the Boston Celtics, where Udoka led the Green Team to the NBA Finals in the 2021-2022 season, and Smart was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Smart was selected 6th overall in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft by the Celtics. He has played for the Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, and Lakers, appearing in 697 career games (441 starts), averaging 10.5 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 1150702

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