Texas native Marcus Smart wanted to play closer to home as he enters the latter part of his NBA career, but he was also displeased with the offer the Lakers made ahead of free agency, Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle writes in a subscriber-only story. Without going into detail, Smart called L.A.’s offer “disrespectful” during an interview with Shankar at Tuesday’s media day.

“First off, I played so well that the offer that was ultimately given didn’t match the way that I played,” Smart said, “especially when you see guys who played way worse than I did, the offers they’re getting. And then it wasn’t any security that we wanted that they were willing to do.”

After two injury-filled years, Smart revived his career last season, appearing in 62 games and earning a spot in the Lakers’ starting lineup. He provided a much-needed defensive upgrade and a strong veteran presence for a team that won 53 games and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

He wound up signing a two-year, $12.4MM contract with the Rockets, which he admits is less than he could have made by staying with the Lakers. The deal includes a player option for the second season, so he’ll have a chance to recoup some of the lost money.

“They gave me an opportunity to be able to go out and try to get what I’ve earned,” Smart said, “and what I’ve been working my tail off to provide for my family is a decent-sized paycheck with obviously years on it, right? Or a big paycheck with less years, but to be able to have that option.”

There’s more from Houston:

• Kevin Durant refused to contemplate his future during an exchange with reporters during media day, per Matt Young of The Houston Chronicle. General manager Rafael Stone said Durant is happy to be in Houston, but Durant wouldn’t speculate on what might happen with the $46MM player option he holds for next summer. “I’m not thinking about anything like that,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed coming into work every day. It’s been fun going through the process with everybody. I’m taking it a day at a time and that’s the most I can do. Who knows what will happen down the line or in the future, but right now, I enjoy showing up for work.”
• Durant finally gets to play alongside point guard Fred VanVleet, who could make him an even more dangerous offensive weapon, Shankar states in a separate story. VanVleet missed all of last season after tearing his ACL prior to training camp, which caused Durant’s turnover rate to increase because he often had to be the team’s primary ball-handler.
• In another piece, Shankar and Young wrap up numerous storylines from media day, including Alperen Sengun’s desire to raise his game as he enters his sixth NBA season. “I was an All-Star two times, but that’s not enough,” he said. “I want to be there every year. I don’t even want to think about, ‘Am I going to make it or not?’ I just need to play like I’m ready for this, like I know I’m going to go there and that should be everyone’s goal.”