Lakers Rumors: Marcus Smart More Likely To Return Than Deandre Ayton

The Los Angeles Lakers’ two biggest moves came on the buyout market last offseason when they were able to land both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart for below-market deals.
Both players outplayed their contracts and now have player options for 2026-27, giving them the opportunity to decide what they want to do this summer. Ayton’s player option is for $8.1 million while Smart’s is for $5.4 million. It remains to be seen what they will do, but Dan Woike of The Athletic believes Sm