Breaking news! The best defensive player joins the Lakers! Kawamura Yuki returns to the NBA

On July 20, 2025, according to ESPN famous reporter Shams Charania, Marcus Smart reached a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards, planning to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after passing a clarification period. The 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year will return to the big stage.

In order to sign Smart, the Lakers plan to lay off guard Milton to free up a roster spot. Milton's $3 million contract will be fully guaranteed on Sunday local time next season. Milton, 28, was obtained by the Lakers from the Brooklyn Nets in December, which also includes Finney Smith and Russell. As a seven-year veteran, Milton averaged 3.9 points (43.3% shooting percentage), 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30 games with the Lakers, and had a starting chance.

Smart, the three-time best-defensive first-team defender, has the player option in a new contract with the Lakers to enter a more prosperous free agent market in 2026. Sources revealed that for the Los Angeles Lakers, strengthening their defensive ability in point guard positions is one of their needs. Since saying goodbye to the Celtics, Smart has only played 54 games in two seasons and has lost a lot of attendance and form, if he can recover his health, his defensive diversity can help the Lakers' back line on the defensive end.

I have to say that an annual salary of 5.5 million is too cost-effective. Pelinka has done a good job in buying out. Take a look at Vincent's annual salary of 10 million, but it turned out to be shocking. Is Smart a popular item in his hands?

It is reported that Lakers star Luca Doncic contacted Smart and made it clear that he wanted to fight alongside this strongman who had both offense and defense.

US media StatMuse revealed the Lakers' offseason operations: signing Ayton, Smart, Laravia, and renewing Hayes. At this point, the Lakers' 10-man rotation lineup has been decided in the new season. What about this lineup?

Then it was the Japanese defender Yuki Kawamura who relied on Xia Lian's performance. Yuki Kawamura had agreed to sign a two-way contract with the Bulls.

In yesterday's summer league, Yoshihiro Kawamura performed well, scoring 20 points and 10 assists efficiently. After the game, the Chicago Bulls officially posted pictures to praise Kawamura's magical performance. Then, within a few hours, the Bulls immediately signed Yoshihiro Kawamura with a two-way contract!

He played 5 games in Xia Lian, averaging 9.6 points and 6.6 assists and still able to grab 2.2 steals. His three-point shooting percentage is 40%, which shows that there is something. He has made a total of 31 assists in this year's Las Vegas Summer United, setting the second highest record for the Bulls' single assists since 2013.

For him, this contract is a stepping stone. If you fight hard, you may become a regular player. After all, the opportunities are all made by yourself. I hope he can make a name for himself in the NBA!