Analysts Forecast Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to Enter Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing crucial decisions regarding several key players as they approach the summer free agency period. While LeBron James and Austin Reaves are at the forefront of these considerations, other significant contributors like Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes will also be available on the market soon.

Starting center Deandre Ayton and veteran guard Marcus Smart hold player options for the upcoming season. In a recent article, John Hollinger, a senior NBA columnist for The Athletic and former Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, expressed his belief that both players will choose to opt out and explore free agency.

"Ayton signed a bargain deal with the Lakers that he massively outplayed (BORD$ value $19.3 million) and should be up for a reward in the free-agent market as a result," Hollinger noted. He emphasized that Ayton would likely be one of the most sought-after starting centers available. The term "BORD$," which stands for "Big Ol’ Rating Dollars," is Hollinger's metric for evaluating a player's expected value in the upcoming season.

Despite being viewed as a disappointment at times this season due to his inconsistent performance, Ayton still possesses the ability to be a dominant offensive player and an effective rebounder. He averaged 12.5 points and eight rebounds per game, both of which marked career lows for him.

On the other hand, Smart has emerged as a crucial asset for the Lakers. At 32 years old, he may be on the verge of his last opportunity for a substantial contract. Hollinger pointed out, "Smart signed his deal with a player option with the idea that he could get a payday this summer if he played well. He did. BORD$ now values him at $11.6 million, so he can confidently test the market." During the regular season, Smart averaged 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, three assists, and 1.4 steals, with his performance peaking during the playoffs when he stepped up in critical moments.