Lakers, Clippers beef up rosters, sign veteran guards

Sports

INTRA-CITY rivals Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers fortified their respective backcourts by bringing in veteran playmakers.

The Lakers acquired defensive lynchpin Marcus Smart while the Clippers tapped multiple All-Star Chris Paul for a second round of duty.

The 40-year-old Paul, a 12-time All-Star, has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Clippers where he previously played for six seasons and led them to the playoffs each year.

Paul became a free agent after playing all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season. He became the first NBA player to play a full 82-game season in his 20th season or later.

As a Spur, Paul averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists while shooting 43% from the floor.

Ranking secon all-time in assists, Paul has played for the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors and Spurs over the last eight seasons.

The Clippers have been having a busy off-season as before signing Paul, they already took in Bradley Beal, forward John Collins and center Brook Lopez, beefing up a roster that still has old reliables Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

On the other hand, Smart signed with the Lakers after reaching a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards.

Smart signed a two-year, $11 million deal to team with Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Smart is the third significant signing by the Lakers after acquiring Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton.

While playing for the Boston Celtics, the 6-foot-3 Smart won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022.(CCM)