Nick Smith Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

Signing with Real Madrid Smith agreed to a one-year deal with Real Madrid on Saturday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.

Impact After Smith's team option was declined by the Lakers in June, he will head overseas to suit up for Real Madrid. The 2023 No. 27 overall pick appeared in 141 regular-season games for the Hornets and Lakers, averaging 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 17.5 minutes per contest.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers endorse Bronny James to rise up the rotation with Nick Smith Jr. decision The Los Angeles Lakers seemingly endorsed Bronny James for a role in the rotation by declining Nick Smith Jr.'s team option.

JUNE 30 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Team option declined The Lakers declined their $2.5 million team option on Smith's contract for 2026-27 on Monday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Impact Smith began last season on a two-way pact but was upgraded to a standard deal in April, finishing the regular season with averages of 6.2 points and 1.0 assists in 12.5 minutes per game across 30 outings (one start). He'll now explore his options in unrestricted free agency.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers are facing the music on draft bust that the Hornets know inside out The Los Angeles Lakers are inching toward the same conclusion the Charlotte Hornets reached with Nick Smith Jr. a year ago: it’s time to mov...

JUNE 2 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Forgotten Lakers guard may already be out of time in Los Angeles It is tough to imagine Nick Smith Jr. sticks around with the Los Angeles Lakers for the long haul.

MAY 17 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

JJ Redick pulls back the curtain on Lakers' stunning last-minute decision The Los Angeles Lakers coach had a great explanation on why the team elevated Nick Smith Jr.

APRIL 13 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Why Lakers are signing Nick Smith Jr. before playoffs | Sporting News The Los Angeles Lakers made a necessary roster move on Sunday.

APRIL 13 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

LeBron James scores 18 in 1st half, Lakers tune up for playoffs with 131-107 win over Jazz

LeBron James had 18 points, six assists and four rebounds in the first half, and the Los Angeles Lakers tuned up for the postseason with a 131-107 win over the Utah Jazz

APRIL 13 • Associated Press

Inks two-year deal with LAL The Lakers signed Smith to a two-year contract Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact Smith signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in September and has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the G League with South Bay. However, he has seen double-digit minutes in each of Los Angeles' last three games and may operate in an expanded role in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs if one or both of Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) were sidelined. Over his last three outings, Smith has averaged 9.0 points, 0.7 assists, 0.7 rebounds and 1.7 threes over 12.0 minutes.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers and LeBron James face uncertainty without injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are finished for the rest of the regular season due to injuries, and the Los Angeles Lakers could finish anywhere from third to fifth in the Western C...

APRIL 5 • Associated Press

Leads all scorers in G League Smith collected 24 points (11-19 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, six assists and one steal in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 113-99 G League win over the Valley Suns.

Impact Despite coming off the bench, Smith was still able to lead all scorers Wednesday. The two-way player has made just one appearance at the NBA level since Feb. 3, with Smith averaging 19.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 three-pointers in 30.4 minutes per game through six G League outings in 2025-26.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Steps up with 21 points off bench Smith logged 21 points (8-14 FG, 5-10 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 24 minutes during Sunday's 125-101 win over Sacramento.

Impact Head coach JJ Redick vowed to shake up the lineup prior to Sunday's game, and Smith ended up rejoining the rotation. The 21 points were his second-highest total of the campaign, but fantasy managers should likely take a wait-and-see approach while Redick searches for consistency in his lineup.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Luka Doncic and LeBron James combine for 68 points, Lakers end skid with 125-101 win over Kings

Luka Doncic scored 34, LeBron James had 24 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 125-101 win over the Sacramento Kings

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • Associated Press

Lakers head coach J.J. Redick sees Nick Smith Jr. playing a big role after Reaves injury | Sporting News Austin Reaves is out for a while, so the Los Angeles Lakers are scrambling for options in the backcourt, and Nick Smith Jr. might be the ans...

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Starting Tuesday Smith will start against the Suns on Tuesday, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact With Luka Doncic (leg) sidelined and Austin Reaves coming off the bench following a three-game absence due to a calf injury, Smith will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The two-way player is averaging 7.2 points in 14.6 minutes per game across 11 regular-season appearances thus far.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Another solid outing Smith amassed 13 points (5-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt), two rebounds, one block and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 126-105 loss to the Celtics.

Impact Smith has now scored in double digits in back-to-back games, providing the Lakers with a much-needed spark off the bench in the absences of Luka Doncic (personal) and LeBron James (sciatica/back). Smith's playing time has been sporadic this season, and his minutes would likely take a hit if Doncic and/or James were cleared to return Sunday against the 76ers.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fares well off bench Smith produced 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds and two steals in 14 minutes during Thursday's 123-120 victory over the Raptors.

Impact Smith caught fire off the bench despite a limited role. He's been mostly out of the rotation mix, but Luka Doncic's personal absence opened up some breathing room in the backcourt. For now, this game can be chalked up as an outlier, and there's no word as to whether Doncic will miss more time.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Smith Jr. may have just sealed Gabe Vincent's fate with the Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers just need a different archetype of bench guard that's not Gabe Vincent.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Lakers' next hidden gem is already hiding in plain sight Nick Smith Jr. reminded the Los Angeles Lakers why he was a first round pick.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Nick Smith Jr. emerges as surprise hero in Lakers' win over Trail Blazers | Sporting News Former Charlotte Hornet Nick Smith Jr. scored 25 points off the bench en route to an eight point LA victory.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Erupts for 25 points Smith accumulated 25 points (10-15 FG, 5-6 3Pt), six assists, two steals and one rebound across 27 minutes during Monday's 123-115 victory over the Trail Blazers.

Impact Smith capitalized on extended minutes Monday with Luka Doncic (rest) and Austin Reaves (groin) sidelined, erupting for over 20 points while knocking down a game-high five three-pointers. The guard, who signed a two-way deal with the Lakers before training camp in September, appeared in 60 games (27 starts) for the Hornets last season, averaging 9.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per contest. While this level of usage isn't likely to continue, Monday's showing was an encouraging example of the offensive spark Smith is capable of providing when given the opportunity.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers overcome the absence of Doncic and Reaves for a 123-115 win over the Blazers

Deandre Ayton had 29 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots against his former team, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail B...

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Nick Smith Jr. will bring Lakers something no other player on roster does Nick Smith Jr. has just signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he'll bring an exciting element to this roster no one else will.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Inks two-way deal with LAL Smith (groin) is signing a two-way contract with the Lakers on Monday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith was waived by the Hornets on Thursday but quickly landed with the Lakers ahead of training camp, albeit on a two-way pact. The 21-year-old guard logged meaningful minutes last season, starting 27 of 60 regular-season games and averaging 9.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds across 22.8 minutes per night.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets 1st-rounder already on a timer after Nick Smith Jr. decision A Charlotte Hornets rookie might have to be wary of his future after watching how Nick Smith Jr.'s career has turned out so far.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

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LeBron James scores 18 in 1st half, Lakers tune up for playoffs with 131-107 win over Jazz

Lakers and LeBron James face uncertainty without injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

Luka Doncic and LeBron James combine for 68 points, Lakers end skid with 125-101 win over Kings

Lakers overcome the absence of Doncic and Reaves for a 123-115 win over the Blazers