Rockets Sign Free Agent Marcus Smart

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Posted: July 10, 2026 -- 3:55 p.m. CT

The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed free agent guard Marcus Smart. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year while playing for Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka with Boston in 2021-22 and is a three-time All-Defensive First Team selection (2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22).

The contract is for 2-years worth $13,054,400. The Rockets used the Taxpayer Mid-level Exception to sign Smart.

Smart (6'3", 220) was originally the sixth overall pick by Boston in the 2014 NBA Draft. In 12 seasons, he has appeared in 697 games with 441 starts while averaging 10.5 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.55 steals and 1.6 3-pointers made in 29.4 minutes per game. He is one of 12 active players with career totals of at least 3,000 assists, 1,000 steals and 1,000 3-pointers made.

In 62 games with 54 starts for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Smart averaged 9.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.40 spg and 1.6 3FGM in 28.5 mpg. Along with Reed Sheppard, Smart was one of five players to have averaged at least 9.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.40 spg and 1.5 3FGM while playing fewer than 30.0 mpg. Among players with 60-plus games played who defended at least 9.0 shots per game, Smart ranked 11th in defensive field goal percentage (.433).

Smart also started all 10 games for the Lakers in the playoffs, averaging 12.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.40 spg and 1.7 3FGM. He ranked second in the NBA in postseason steals behind Tari Eason and joined Amen Thompson as the only players to have averaged at least 5.0 apg and 2.00 spg.

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