The Los Angeles Lakers experienced major roster turnover this offseason as they look to better cater to the needs of star Luka Doncic. That naturally led to the departure of numerous players, one being former two-way guard Nick Smith Jr.
Smith was brought to the Lakers last offseason as a former first-round pick they were hoping to develop. He showed flashed with a key highlight last season being against the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 3 when he dropped 25 points and six assists in an improbable win.
While Smith landed a standard NBA contract with the Lakers late in the year, his team option for 2026-27 was declined and now it appears he will be heading overseas to play with Real Madrid, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype:
Free agent guard Nick Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with Real Madrid, agents Lucas Newton and Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports told @hoopshype. He averaged 7.6 points in 17.5 minutes during three NBA seasons with the Hornets and Lakers. He’ll be Real Madrid’s lead guard. pic.twitter.com/nDJo7H65hb
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 12, 2026
After being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets out of Arkansas, the 22-year-old guard was hoping to carve out a role in the NBA as a reserve bench scorer. Unfortunately, there was a guard crunch with the Lakers this offseason, which meant no path to obtaining playing time for someone like Smith.
With Smith choosing to go play overseas, it appears that there may not have been an NBA opportunity. Going to Real Madrid allows for him to recoup his value and perhaps get teams back on the radar to earn another chance back in the States.
It is also worth mentioning that Doncic spent time with Real Madrid before making the transition to the NBA. Hopefully, the former Lakers guard gets a similar opportunity to showcase his talents.
In 30 games with the purple and gold last season, Smith averaged 6.2 points on 43.5% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range. Through his three years in the NBA, he totaled 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 39.8% from the field and 37.4% from downtown.
Nick Smith Jr. was added to Lakers playoff roster
Before postseason play last season, the Lakers needed to make a decision of who to bring onto their playoff roster since two-way players are not eligible. L.A. ultimately decided to sign Smith over Drew Timme due to Doncic and Austin Reaves’ untimely injuries.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick explained at the time why the organization decided to sign an additional guard over a center.
“Obviously a difficult decision. Drew (Timme) has been awesome for us. Frankly, we’re missing two of our primary ball-handlers,” Redick said. “We need Nick, we need his shooting as well. A lot of discussion, a lot of debate over the last few days about that.”
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