Marcus Smart’s 2024-25 NBA season was anything but stable. The former Defensive Player of the Year began the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but his stint was short-lived as he was traded to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline.

"Miami weighed a Rozier-for-Smart swap but could not reach an organizational consensus on whether such a trade was a clear upgrade," according to NBA reporter Jake Fischer. "Smart ultimately secured a buyout from Washington on July 19 that ultimately enabled him to sign with the Lakers as a free agent."

After something has been done in life, news often emerges shortly afterward, stating what could have been done differently. Life can be critical at times for ma