Smart will sign with the Lakers after buyout

NEWS+NOTES

Houston Astros’ Isaac Paredes (15) is walked back to the dugout with an apparent injury after running to first base on a single against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a game on Saturday in Seattle. LINDSEY WASSON – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Veteran guard Marcus Smart will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after receiving a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards.

The standout defender and two-way contributor excelled for the rival Boston Celtics for nine seasons before spending the past two years with Memphis and Washington.

Smart will get a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers to join their supporting cast around Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles filled its biggest offseason need earlier this month by signing center Deandre Ayton.

Smart was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 for the Celtics, who reached the NBA Finals that season and made nine consecutive playoff appearances during his tenure.

NFL

Seahawks release TE Fant >> The Seattle Seahawks released tight end Noah Fant ahead of the start of training camp.

The 27-year-old Fant spent the past three seasons with the Seahawks after being acquired in the 2022 blockbuster trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver. Across his Seattle tenure, Fant racked up 130 receptions for 1,400 yards and five touchdowns.

Fant was entering the final season of a two-year contract, and was due a non-guaranteed salary of $8.49 million this year. The Seahawks will save $8.91 million against the salary cap with the move.

Lions’ Onwuzurike out for season >> Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season after having knee surgery, a setback for a franchise that was counting on him to fill in for Alim McNeill.

Lions coach Dan Campbell made the announcement, just before his team had the NFL’s first training camp practice of the year.

The 27-year-old Onwuzurike started in a career-high 11 games last season, including Detroit’s loss to Washington in the divisional round. His playing time increased when McNeill had a season-ending knee injury in December. McNeill, who signed a $97 million, four-year contract extension last October, is out indefinitely.

MLB

Astros’ Paredes placed on IL >> Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

Paredes was injured running to first base on a single to left field during Saturday night’s 7-6, 11-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners. Paredes left the game and was replaced by Zack Short. The 26-year-old is hitting .259 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs this season.

Additionally, catcher César Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land. In corresponding moves, infielders Shay Whitcomb and Jon Singleton were recalled from Sugar Land.

Tennis

Sinner, Djokovic withdraw from Toronto Open >> Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner, 24-time Grand Slam title winner Novak Djokovic and No. 5-ranked Jack Draper all withdrew from the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto that starts in a week.

The No. 1-ranked Sinner cited his injured right elbow, which he hurt in a fall in the fourth round at the All England Club on the way to his first title there and fourth major trophy.

He won his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto in 2023.

Djokovic blamed a groin injury for his withdrawal from an event he has won four times.