Former Gonzaga guard Malachi Smith has landed with the Toronto Raptors, signing a contract with the Eastern Conference team four months after finishing the 2025-26 NBA season against them.
The Raptors did not disclose the terms of the deal, in line with NBA rules.
Smith’s path to Toronto has been a winding one. He made his NBA debut last season with the Brooklyn Nets, appearing in 15 games in March and April after back-to-back 10-day contracts led to a non-guaranteed deal to finish the regular season. Brooklyn waived him on July 10, making him a free agent, and he did not join a team for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Even in a small sample, Smith gave the Nets real production. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field and 43.5% from 3-point range. He scored in double figures seven times in those 15 outings, and his best all-around performance came April 10 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he put up 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, falling just short of a triple-double.
Brooklyn leaned on him more heavily as the season wound down. Smith played at least 36 minutes in each of his final four games, including 40 minutes against the Indiana Pacers and 43 against the Bucks. He wrapped up the season with eight points, six assists and five rebounds against the Raptors, the same team he has now joined.
Before that month with Brooklyn, Smith spent time with the Nets’ G League affiliate in Long Island. Earlier in his pro career, he played for three other G League teams over two seasons: the Rip City Remix, Wisconsin Herd and Memphis Hustle.
Smith’s college resume includes one season at Gonzaga in 2022-23 after stops at Chattanooga and Wright State. He earned West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year honors at Gonzaga, averaging 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 53.6% from the field and 50% from 3-point range.
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