The Los Angeles Lakers waived guard Jordan Goodwin shortly after releasing Shake Milton to clear space for the arrival of Marcus Smart.

However, Charania’s well-respected co-worker, Bobby Marks, wisely pointed out that the Lakers need to clear space if they want to use the $5.1 million bi-annual exception to land Smart. The Lakers took a step in the right direction on Sunday by cutting ties with a recently acquired 6-foot-5 guard.

Smart, however, was someone that the Lakers needed to pitch to come to LA. And to do that, the team turned to Luka Dončić. The new face of the franchise played a big role in recruiting the former Defensive Player of the Year, something originally reported by Shams Charania of ESPN on Sunday afternoon.

In a move first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday, Los Angeles waived the guard in an effort to clear financial space to add Marcus Smart. Milton's $3 million contract for the 2025-26 campaign was set to become fully guaranteed on Sunday had the Purple and Gold not moved on from him.