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Averaged 9+3 per game! Compared with Paul, the Lakers spent 11 million very well.

10:31pm, 2 November 2025【Basketball】

So far in the 25-26 season, Paul is averaging 2.6 points and 4.0 assists per game. What needs to be explained about the data is:

1. The true shooting rate of 39.5% is a career low, and it is also the first time it has fallen below 50%;

2. The Clippers have a net loss of 14.0 points per 100 possessions when on the court, and a 3.4 point gain per 100 possessions when not on the court.

In terms of data, the 40-year-old Paul is really "old and honest." What I mean is that while personal efficiency has dropped significantly, being on the field has also had side effects on the team. To put it bluntly, CP3 at this stage is like Westbrook during the Lakers era - the team wins less when he is on the court and loses more.

Fortunately, Paul and the Clippers have a one-year basic salary contract of 3.6 million. To put it bluntly, the amount is not large and the term is short, so he can just "endure it".

At the same time, in the game against the Grizzlies, Smart scored 12 points on 5 of 8 shots in the starting lineup. More importantly, under his defense, Morant and Pope both shot less than 40%.

In fact, compared to Paul, I think the Lakers' signing of Smart for 11 million is a great value.

Instant combat power

So far this season, Smart is averaging 9+3 and Paul is averaging 3+4. In fact, in terms of the former alone, it ranks sixth among the Lakers. That is, reaching the major rotation level.

Effect on the team

When Smart is on the court, the Lakers win by 19.2 points per 100 possessions, which is higher than the values ​​of Doncic and Reeves. In addition, Smart's defensive real plus-minus of 0.9 is higher than Vanderbilt's 0.7. At least it shows that Smart on the defensive end plays a positive role in winning games for the Lakers. On the other hand, when Paul is on the court, the Clippers lose.

Contract

Smart and the Lakers reached a two-year, 11 million contract this summer. The average salary of 5.5 million is only slightly higher than Paul's 3.6 million. To take a step back, Smart is useful to the Lakers rather than a burden.

To sum up, the reason why the Lakers signed Smart is a great value compared to Paul, mainly reflects three points:

1. The immediate combat power is stronger;

2. It has a greater effect on the team;

3. The contracts are not much different.

Relatively speaking, I think the second point is the main reason.

First of all, with Doncic and Reeves, the Lakers are not lacking in offense but defense. Smart's presence can just make up for this.

Secondly, even looking at the league, Smart's two-year, 11 million contract is only slightly higher than the base salary.

In summary, compared with Paul, we can understand Smart's value as being very cost-effective, and at the same time, it will substantially help the Lakers win.

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