The Nets are going back to Long Island for their latest roster addition.
Brooklyn and guard Malachi Smith have agreed to a 10-day contract, a move that was first reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Smith has been one of the steadier producers for the Long Island Nets, and now he’ll get a chance to carry that into the NBA rotation at a moment when Brooklyn’s backcourt depth is being tested again.
Smith averaged 14.4 points while shooting 52% from the field and 42% from 3-point range with Long Island. He also posted 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals, a stat line that reads like a player who can impact the game in numerous ways.
He’ll also add to a rookie-heavy theme in Brooklyn’s season. Smith is set to become the eighth player to make his NBA rookie debut with the Nets this year, joining Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traoré, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf, Grant Nelson and Chaney Johnson. For a franchise that has leaned hard into youth and development, it’s another reminder of how many new faces have cycled through the program.
Smith will be the third-oldest player on the roster behind only Terance Mann and Nic Claxton, who, like Smith, is 26. There’s also a familiar connection waiting for him. Smith teamed up with Nets two-way forward EJ Liddell at Belleville West High School in Illinois, where they won a state championship together. Familiarity can speed up the transition, even on a short deal.
Smith’s promotion also closes the loop on the Nets’ most recent 10-day experiment. Nelson, who was on a 10-day contract with Brooklyn earlier, is back with Long Island, but he’s expected to miss the rest of the G League season with patellar tendinitis, according to reports. That likely helps explain why Nelson didn’t get another 10-day after a solid showing. The forward appeared in four games with Brooklyn and averaged 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 55.6% from the field. He also hit 70.0% of his free throws.
The timing of Smith’s deal also lines up with a fresh injury report. Claxton is out for rest and Powell is out for left knee injury management for the Nets’ Saturday afternoon game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Michael Porter Jr. is listed as doubtful with a right ankle sprain. Ochai Agbaji is probable with left ankle soreness.
In other words, minutes are going to be available. And for Smith, this is exactly what a 10-day is supposed to be, a quick window, a real opportunity and a chance to turn strong G League production into something the Nets must pay attention to.