Marcus Smart thought his agent was joking that Luka Dončić was recruiting him to Lakers

There are many ways to build an NBA roster, but one approach that has become increasingly important is having players participate in a recruiting pitch for free agents.

Stars matter always in all ways, and when role players are considering a new place to call home, a call from the most important player on a team could make all the difference.

For the Lakers, that star is Luka Dončić. Here, during the early parts of his tenure in Los Angeles, he’s shown that he’s willing to reach out to his peers and encourage them to join him in Southern California.

It was reported that Luka’s involvement in the recruitment of Marcus Smart led to the veteran choosing the Lakers over the Suns, and on media day, Smart provided another nugget into those conversations.

He said that he couldn’t believe Luka wanted him with the Lakers. So much so that when his agent told him Luka called, he thought it was a prank.

“I’m ecstatic, man,” Smart said in an interview with ESPN LA. “I’m excited. When my agent told me Luka called him and was very interested, I didn’t believe him at first. I’m not gonna lie. I’m like, ‘You’re joking. I’m a jokester, so you probably get me back for something.’ And he’s like, ‘No, I’m serious. We really need to sit down and we need to talk. This is going to happen. This is real.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh wow.’ But having Luka have that ability to say ‘I want this guy here,’ being able to play against him for as long as I did, I’m finally glad to be on his side.”

It’s hilarious to think that Smart’s agent had to convince him they were having a serious conversation and this was not some kind of cruel joke. It’s a sign that Luka is highly regarded around the league, so much so that Smart didn’t think he’d bother picking up the phone to advocate for him.

Obviously, Luka does like Smart’s game and is one of the many Lakers players thrilled to no longer have to deal with him as a defender.

Thanks to Luka’s efforts the Lakers just might have picked up their next great defender.

If Luka is willing to do a little roster recruitment work and it tips the 50/50 situations in favor of the Lakers, then that’s another advantage the organization can have in the margins.

Everyone wants to feel wanted, and free agents are no different. With Luka on the phone, he can help make sure they pick LA over other cities. As long as they believe it’s actually him on the other side of the phone.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.