Heat Eyeing Warriors’ NBA Champion Defensive Guard After Marcus Smart-Lakers News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Heat have continued to strike out on key free agents throughout the 2025 NBA offseason.

The Lakers have made a few key roster moves this offseason, but this one signing in particular has been their best move.

The Sparks (9-14) and Sun (3-19) look to get their seasons back on track as they meet in a Thursday night matchup from Mohegan Sun Arena.

Rising to third all-time on the scoring list, Kobe Bryant was drafted by the Lakers out of Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania in 1997. He quickly became a star, dueling with Michael Jordan in his first All-Star Game in 1998 and teaming with Shaquille O’Neal to bring Los Angeles a three-peat (2000, 2001, 2002).

The Lakers are widely predicted to sign Gary Payton II, a former NBA champion and defensive ace in his own right.

Marcus Smart is joining Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the Lakers after a two rough years on the Grizzlies and Wizards.