Lakers Weigh Options on Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton Ahead of 2026-27

The Los Angeles Lakers must decide by June 29 whether to retain veteran guard Marcus Smart and center Deandre Ayton, each holding a player option for the 2026-27 season. Both players were acquired on buyout deals after the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards, respectively, and have become regular starters.

Sports Illustrated

Smart and Ayton signed “below-market” contracts after their former teams bought them out. Their player options are for $5.4 million (Smart) and $8.1 million (Ayton). The options give each veteran the right to stay for a second year, while the Lakers retain the ability to trade them if they choose.

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Team sources, cited by multiple reports, have repeatedly emphasized a desire to upgrade the center position, favoring a younger, more athletic profile. The organization is also said to be seeking a “more traditional Doncic-style center,” a phrase that reflects the front office’s vision for a post player who can complement Luka Doncic’s style of play. If the Lakers pursue that model, they may look beyond Ayton for a higher-impact option.

Sports Illustrated

Both veterans “out-performed their contracts last season in a number of different ways,” according to analyst Dan Woike. Smart is praised for anchoring the defense, providing leadership in the locker room, and fitting “perfectly both on the court and off it” to build the team’s culture. By contrast, Ayton “looked good at times, he also struggled at others and his attitude wavered as the team asked him to do things he wasn’t accustomed to earlier in his career.” The higher salary of Ayton’s option ($8.1 M) makes him a potential “salary filler” in future trades if the Lakers decide to move on.

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Should Smart not return, the Lakers have reportedly contacted the Oklahoma City Thunder about wing Lu Dort as a possible replacement. This outreach suggests the front office is already scouting alternatives to address the defensive and physicality concerns highlighted by analysts.

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Sources differ on the likelihood of each player opting in. While Woike leans toward Smart returning, another analysis notes that Ayton’s larger option makes him “more likely to pick it up than Smart.” No official comment from Lakers management has been released, leaving the final roster composition uncertain.

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

• “If I had to pick one to be back, I’d lean Smart.” — Dan Woike, *The Athletic*

Sports Illustrated

• “I just think the Lakers want a more traditional Doncic-style center.” — Dan Woike, *The Athletic*

Sports Illustrated

• “If we’re being completely objective, both Smart and Ayton out-performed their contracts last season in a number of different ways.” — Dan Woike, *The Athletic*

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

• “This report shouldn’t come as a huge surprise as Smart fit in perfectly both on the court and off it helping build the Lakers’ culture.” — *LakersNation*

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

• “Lakers have reportedly called Thunder about Lu Dort If the Lakers lose Smart, then one potential replacement could be Lu Dort, and they have reportedly already called the Oklahoma City Thunder about the wing’s availability.” — *LakersNation*

Is Marcus Smart or Deandre Ayton more likely to return to the Los Angeles Lakers?