Just hours before NBA media day began, the Los Angeles Lakers announced the signing of former first-round pick Nick Smith Jr. to the training camp roster on a two-way contract.
Smith, who was waived last Thursday after two seasons in Charlotte, is a six-foot-two guard who averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 60 games (27 starts) for the Hornets last season. His minutes jumped from 14 in his rookie year—where he averaged 5.9 points—to 23 minutes last season, which gave him a bigger opportunity to showcase his game as a scorer.
With the move, the Lakers waived center Kylor Kelley to make room.
He played just one year in college, where he scored 19.5 points in 17 games at the University of Arkansas. With that, he was taken 27th overall in 2023 by the Hornets.
Smith joins a crowded guard-heavy roster and currently stands behind Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent and Bronny James heading into training camp.
Smith will wear the No. 20 for the Lakers, which was last worn by Shake Milton and Maxwell Lewis last season.