Since Doncic wanted him, Smart has arrived.

The Lakers successfully recruited Smart yesterday with a two-year contract worth $11 million. However, there is still a bit of time before the Lakers can officially sign Smart. The Lakers are using the mid-level exception to sign Smart, and they need to clear around $4.2 million in salary space to utilize the exception.

Thus, early this morning, the Lakers waived Milton, freeing up $3 million in space. A few hours later, they also waived Goodwin, bringing their salary down below the first luxury tax line, allowing them to use the mid-level exception. The gap of a few hours between the two cuts likely indicates that the Lakers were considering whether they could trade Knick and Kleber, but ultimately decided to cut Goodwin directly.

So far, the Lakers' offseason moves should be considered above average. Losing Finney-Smith allowed them to gain a full mid-level exception, which the Lakers maximized. They signed Lavia for two years at $12 million, Ayton for two years at $16.6 million, and used the mid-level exception to sign Smart for two years at $11 million.

With the core lineup unchanged, the Lakers effectively replaced Finney-Smith with Lavia, Ayton, and Smart, significantly enhancing their roster depth. Notably, Lavia was recruited by Reaves, while Ayton and Smart were personally recruited by Doncic.

The Lakers' stance is very clear: as long as Doncic expresses his desires, they will do everything possible to meet them. Doncic wanted a center, so Ayton came; he wanted a defender, so Smart arrived. Whether giving up Milton and Goodwin to sign Smart was worth it is not a concern for the Lakers.

Does Smart still have fuel in the tank? The answer might be yes, but not much. After ending his career with the Celtics, Smart's name has almost vanished among fans. In the 2023 offseason, Smart was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies. During the 2023-24 season, he only played 20 games due to an ankle injury and severe finger dislocation.

Last season, Smart played only 19 games with the Grizzlies and 15 games with the Wizards. His attendance rate has been a major issue over the past two seasons; if a player cannot take the court, everything else is meaningless.

The Wizards did not initially reach a buyout agreement with Smart; instead, they explored the market for a price, only to find that there was no demand for Smart. This also reflects that Smart's current abilities are indeed lacking.

Smart is over 31 years old, and the recurring ankle injuries over the past two years have severely limited his mobility. Everyone knows that Smart is no longer the multiple-time All-Defensive First Team member and Defensive Player of the Year he once was.

Even at his peak, Smart's outside shooting was often overlooked by opponents. However, it is worth noting that last season, in a sample of 15 games with the Wizards, Smart posted over 39% from three-point range, averaging 9.3 points. If you view Smart as a player who cannot shoot threes at all, he may still surprise you occasionally.

Of course, for the Lakers, signing Smart for over $5 million is essentially a low-cost gamble, akin to spending $20 on a scratch-off ticket; if you win $20, you feel good for a moment, and winning $30 can make your day, but even a total loss won't ruin your mood.

What the Lakers really need is for Smart to maximize his defensive impact during limited playing time. Vincent is a decent primary defender, but ultimately, his size is limited, and he cannot fully handle larger guards. Smart, as a heavier guard, is precisely suited for this role.

It is a fact that Smart has regressed, but his ability to defend the perimeter one-on-one, chase off-ball, and navigate screens is still intact. As long as Smart can perform at 70% of his peak ability, everyone will be satisfied.

Signing Smart also allows Doncic to feel valued. If the Lakers can secure Doncic's four-year, $229 million contract extension this offseason, locking in his future with the Lakers, then everything will be worth it.

The various moves made by the Lakers' management this offseason, including LeBron's decision to exercise his player option, indicate that the Lakers have officially entered the Doncic era. Previously, the Lakers could select LeBron's son for the sake of LeBron, allowing them to play together in the first game of the season; now, they can cater to all of Doncic's needs.

The story of newcomers replacing veterans unfolds every moment in this world. It is both cold-hearted and entirely natural.