The Lakers have added Nick Smith Jr. on a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link via Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. In a corresponding move, the Lakers waived big man Kylor Kelley.
Smith was waived by the Hornets last week due to Charlotte’s roster crunch and glut of guards. The 21-year-old was the No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He appeared in 60 games last season, including 27 starts, and averaged 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Smith had been on a guaranteed standard contract prior to being waived but was eligible to sign a two-way contract as a third-year player. He’ll fill the Lakers’ open two-way contract slot alongside Christian Koloko and Chris Manon while also filling the 21st spot on their preseason roster. He replaces Kelley, who was signed late last month on an Exhibit 10 deal.
Kelley appeared in 11 NBA games (two starts) last season with the Pelicans and Mavericks, averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per night. He was also in the Lakers organization last season, though he didn’t appear in an NBA game with them. He was on their training camp roster but was waived before opening night. He then joined their G League affiliate.
With the South Bay Lakers last season, the 27-year-old appeared in 32 games (27 starts) and averaged 11.5 points on a career-high 68.2 percent shooting from the field, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.4 blocks in 26.7 minutes.
If he clears waivers and rejoins South Bay, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he remains with that team for at least 60 days.
Reasonable flier with Austin Reaves’ long-term future up in the air.
Besides, LA loves their Nick Young irrational confidence types.
He’ll spend more time playing next to Bronny than LeBron.
Nice use of the last 2 way getting some expierence as we are pretty thin as a team
We are only carrying 14 and Bronny and Adou Thiero might not be viable options yet.
Kleber and Smart health sus as well
Koloko and Smith are pretty good bandaids to have in the cupboard
Longshot, but if they can get Smith right, he’s a rotational NBA talent. Also, a good fit alongside the LAL’s bigger perimeter players.
They have LeBron James Jr though. Both 6’2
Not big of this guy but what are the Hornets doing? They should have kept Smith and done something else
Such as?
Waive Smith and Antonio Reeves or Drew Peterson and then resign Smith to a two way contract
Or
Waiving Simpson and then resigning him to a two way contract
Or
Put Sion James on a two contract and leave Smith alone
Or
Trade Sexton and Pat Con to Washington for McCollum. Then trade Miles Bridges and Josh Green for Jerami Grant or Tobias Harris. Resign Diabate and leave Smith alone.
Smith has spent two years with Charlotte, and thus isn’t eligible for a Two-Way with Charlotte. It is intentionally structured this way so FRPs aren’t getting 3rd year options declined and then signing Two-Ways at a fraction of the cost.
Sion James was the 34th pick (not taking a Two-Way), is two years older than Smith, and very likely a better player than Smith.
Your 2-for-1 Trade ideas are not great / require the other party to be interested.
Nick Smith Jr ain’t worth going from 27-year-old Collin Sexton to 34-year-old CJ McCollum.
Nick Smith Jr ain’t worth acquiring Jerami Grant’s albatross contract.
Dude is a 27th pick that didn’t pan out, not a 7th pick with high upside.
But you can have any player if under three years of certain NBA experience on an NBA two contract. Players get waived and then sign two ways, usually players who are not doing well.
Any second rd pick can be considered for a two way contract.
So Diawara and McCullar in NY isn’t right to your expectations
I’d prefer McCollum over Sexton for this team. Veteran leadership. He can play the starting SG until Kon is ready. Tobias Harris would be good too until Saloun is ready. Plus Tobias and McCollum are on expiring contracts . Yes Grant’s contract is horrible but better than having Miles Bridges on your team.
McCollum and Harris are just veterans on expiring contracts. Just develop the team and they should be good. Veterans are important. Sexton is not that
What would you do if you were the Hornets GM?
“Dude is a 27th pick that didn’t pan out, not a 7th pick with high upside.”
Nick Smith Jr was the top guard (or one of the very few top guards) in his high school class and was projected to be a lottery pick with high upside , yes he was. He fell because he spent his one college season at Arkansas being hurt/dipping out on the team. But I would maintain that he’s not a typical late 1st round pick and that he still has quite a bit of upside. More than Sion James
I don’t understand the selection of James
A player is not eligible for a Two-Way from their own team if they’ve been on the team for two years. This includes if they were on a Two-Way. Its a minor league contract that barely pays anything.
Sexton is a veteran, as good as CJ now, and better for the future. CJ is also seeking a contender at this stage of his career, not another lottery team.
Bridges is better than Grant, on a better (shorter, cheaper) contract. Are the Blazers willing to send picks to make it happen? CHA needs more incentives than a 27th pick with minimal development.
They did him a favor by waiving him BEFORE camp and not after.
This also means they weren’t interested in picking up his 4th year option for 5M or whatever it was. Routine business for an NBA team. We saw the Mavs do the same with O-Max. First rounders get a window to show they’re worth NBA contracts.
player is not eligible for a Two-Way from their own team if they’ve been on the team for two years. This includes if they were on a Two-Way. Its a minor league contract that barely pays anything.
I’m not sure if that’s right. I’ve never heard that but I do miss some of the new rules. I always thought someone with four years or less is always available for a two way contract
Sexton isn’t really a veteran. A veteran usually has 10 plus years of NBA experience or is over 30.
No Bridges is not better than Grant. Are you forgetting about his baggage. The hornets need to drop Bridges like a bad habit. The Hornets need to move on from Bridges in order to start over.
You still could waive a player like I said and then resign Smith to a two way contract but they do have too many PG’s and Smith isn’t going to be a all star so it’s understandable.
Q-Max stuff shouldn’t happen to any of these young guys
The Hornets must trade Bridges to get this franchise together
In any event, it wouldn’t benefit Smith (or ANY waived FRP) to re-sign with a team that didn’t think they were worth a guaranteed contract / drafted multiple players at the same position. So that was never going to be an option.
The Hornets have
LaMelo: 4Y / 168M (2030 FA)
Knueppel: 4Y / 49M (2029 Rookie Extension)
Tre Mann: 3Y / 24M (2028 FA)
Sion James: 4Y / 10M
Along with Sexton/Dinwiddie for this season.
And Simpson/Reeves on Two-Ways.
Smith had his shot (and then some) in Charlotte. On to the next.
The Lakers have a much thinner backcourt with multiple 2026 Free Agents (Reaves, Vincent) with LeBron’s future hanging in the balance. Much better situation for 2026 and beyond than being a poor man’s Sexton/Mann.
“No Bridges is not better than Grant. Are you forgetting about his baggage. The hornets need to drop Bridges like a bad habit. The Hornets need to move on from Bridges in order to start over.”
You might want to look up Jerami Grant’s shooting line from last season.
Your reasons for getting rid of Bridges appear to be strictly off-court related and not related to any actual on-court performance. The year isn’t 2022. Move on.
I completely agree on Smith. He isn’t anything crying about
Yes Bridges is better than Grant, yes Grant is about to decline fast.
Yes I am strictly getting rid of Bridges because of the off court stuff. He was in Charlotte, the Hornets got new management. You need to trade him for a fresh start. The Hornets will never improve until Bridges is gone. Bridges has worn out his welcome in Charlotte. It’s okay they won’t prosper with Bridges on the roster. Tobias Harris would be an upgrade