Lakers Sign Nick Smith Jr. to Two-Year Deal

The 21-year-old guard will provide backcourt depth for the playoff-bound Lakers.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:04pm by

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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Nick Smith Jr. to a two-year minimum contract, with a team option and non-guaranteed salary for the 2026-27 season. Smith, a first-round draft pick of the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, has averaged 6.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 29 games for the Lakers this season, playing 12.3 minutes per contest.

Why it matters

The Lakers are dealing with injuries to key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, so Smith's signing provides additional backcourt depth and ball-handling as the team prepares for the playoffs. Smith has shown flashes of scoring ability, including two double-digit scoring games in the past week.

The details

The Lakers signed Smith to a standard NBA contract, making him eligible for the postseason, after he had been on a two-way deal. The team opened up a roster spot by waiving Kobe Bufkin. Smith, a 21-year-old guard, was a first-round pick of the Charlotte Hornets in 2023 and has shown potential as a scorer and 3-point shooter in limited minutes with the Lakers this season.

  • The Lakers announced Smith's signing on April 12, 2026.

The players

Nick Smith Jr.

A 21-year-old guard who was a first-round draft pick of the Charlotte Hornets in 2023 and has averaged 6.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 29 games for the Lakers this season.

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' star player who is currently dealing with an injury and expected to miss the start of the playoffs.

Austin Reaves

The Lakers' starting guard who is also injured and expected to miss the start of the playoffs.

JJ Redick

The Lakers' head coach who will need to rely on players like Smith to step up with key injuries to the team's backcourt.

LeBron James

The Lakers' veteran superstar who will need support from role players like Smith as the team makes a playoff push.

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What they’re saying

“Nick Smith Jr. will have a team option and non-guaranteed salary for 2026-27, a source told @capostsports.”

— Khobi Price, Reporter

What’s next

The Lakers will need Smith to provide quality minutes off the bench as they navigate the playoffs without Doncic and Reaves. Head coach JJ Redick has emphasized that he wants Smith to be aggressive offensively when he is on the court.

The takeaway

With key injuries to their backcourt, the Lakers have turned to young guard Nick Smith Jr. to provide depth and scoring punch off the bench as they make a playoff push. Smith's two-year contract shows the team's commitment to developing him, and he'll have a chance to prove himself on the big stage.