Marcus Smart leaving Lakers in free agency to join Rockets

Marcus Smart is the latest free agent to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran guard has reached agreement on a two-year, $13 million contract with the Houston Rockets, ESPN reported.

The second year of his contract will reportedly be a player option.

Smart, who played under Houston coach Ime Udoka, gives Houston a tough, defensive-minded guard who can also space the floor with his 3-point shooting. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals with the Lakers last season.

The Rockets struggled at times with their guard play during their first-round playoff loss to the Lakers. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet is set to return this upcoming season while Houston also is signing Bogdan Bogdanović in free agency to add more shooting to the roster.

Smart joins LeBron James and Luke Kennard in leaving the Lakers in free agency. Los Angeles is reshaping its roster around Luka Doncic. Kennard reached agreement with the Phoenix Suns a day earlier while James announced he plans to continue his career elsewhere.