{
  "id": 9210543,
  "title": "Rockets' free agent signing Marcus Smart eager to play with Kevin Durant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/rockets-free-agent-signing-marcus-smart-eager-to-play-with-kevin",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T22:13:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rockets-free-agent-signing-marcus-221353739.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At Houston Rockets media day, free agent Marcus Smart discussed his upcoming partnership with Kevin Durant. Smart expressed his excitement about being on the opposite side of Durant's shooting, stating, \"I get to be on the other side of him taking the shots and not taking the shots over me.\" Durant's shooting ability, regardless of who is present, is a key factor for Smart, who noted, \"Now I get to actually watch the shot and not have to worry about trying to make a miss.\"\n\nA three-time All-Defensive selection and former Defensive Player of the Year, Smart will no longer have to defend Durant during gameplay, unlike in the playoffs last year. He can now focus on his defensive duties under former head coach Ime Udoka. Moreover, Smart's mentorship and basketball IQ will play a crucial role in developing Houston's young core, including players like Reed Sheppard, Bruce Thornton, and Amen Thompson.\n\nIn his last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Smart contributed as a leader, averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 33.1% from beyond the three-point line. For additional NBA updates, readers can tune into the BasketBaltes podcast or follow BasketBaltes on Instagram.",
  "summary": "Free agent signing Marcus Smart is excited to team up with Kevin Durant on the Houston Rockets instead of having to guard him.",
  "key_points": [
    "Marcus Smart eager to play alongside Kevin Durant.",
    "Smart praises Durant's shooting ability.",
    "Smart will mentor Houston's young core players."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Rockets news: Marcus Smart warns teams with 'scary' 2026-27 Houston outlook",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/rockets-news-marcus-smart-warns-teams-with-scary-2026-27-houston",
        "published": "2026-09-23T01:53:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}