The Los Angeles Lakers added a high-upside contributor to their roster on the first day of training camp.
The Luka Doncic-led Western Conference organization elected to sign a recently waived 6-foot-2 guard to assist Luka Doncic in 2025-26.
“JUST IN: The Los Angeles Lakers and Nick Smith Jr. have agreed to a two-way contract,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Monday. “The 21-year-old guard showed flashes of potential, averaging 9.9 points in 22.8 minutes while starting 27 of 60 games played for the Charlotte Hornets last season.”
Smith’s stint with the Hornets was short-lived. The Arkansas product was selected by Charlotte late in the first round of the 2023 Draft (No. 27 overall pick) despite only appearing in 17 collegiate contests with the Razorbacks.
Smith exhibited potential alongside LaMelo Ball in Charlotte, occasionally making eye-opening plays as a skilled shot-maker and high-energy driver.
The Jacksonville, Arkansas native averaged 8.0 points per game during his first two NBA seasons, shooting 39.1% from the field and 36.9% from three-point land.
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However, the Hornets waived Smith last Thursday, enabling the Lakers to add him to their roster before the end of September.
With Smith being only 21 years old and having the opportunity to learn from two future Hall of Famers in Doncic and LeBron James, he should feel excited about the next chapter of his NBA journey.
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