The Brooklyn Nets are adding some fresh energy to their roster with a 10-day contract for a promising guard, as reported by league insiders. This 26-year-old has been lighting it up for the Nets' G League team in Long Island, showcasing his skills with an impressive stat line: 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His shooting has been particularly noteworthy, hitting 52% from the field and a scorching 42% from beyond the arc.
This isn't the first time Smith has been connected to Brooklyn. He initially signed with the team back in October after they snagged his G League rights in a trade. Although he was waived shortly after, he left with a $42,650 partial guarantee, which strategically kept the Nets above the minimum salary floor.
Smith's journey through the G League has been extensive. He's spent time with teams like the Rip City Remix, Wisconsin Herd, and Memphis Hustle since his days at Gonzaga, where he went undrafted in 2023. An Exhibit 10 deal with Portland in 2023 marked his closest brush with the NBA, but he's still waiting for his first official game appearance.
The Nets had a roster spot open up after Grant Nelson's 10-day contract ended, and while Coach Jordi Fernandez had positive things to say about Nelson's effort, the team chose not to extend his stay. Now, Smith has a shot to prove himself at the NBA level, potentially appearing in up to six games during his 10-day stint. If everything falls into place, this could be the opportunity Smith has been working toward, with a paycheck of $73,153 to boot.