Official: Lakers sign former Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. to two-way contract
2025-09-30 04:41
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Monday that they have signed Nick Smith Jr. to a two-way contract. In response, they waived Kyler Kelly to free up a roster spot.
Officials also confirmed that Nick Smith Jr. will wear the No. 20 jersey for the Lakers.
Nick Smith Jr., 21, plays primarily as a guard and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. So far, he has played in 111 regular season games for the Hornets, averaging 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting 39.1% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range.
Nick Smith Jr., waived by the guard-laden Hornets earlier this month, officially fills the Lakers' two-way contract roster, joining Christian Coloko and Chris Manon.
As for Kyler Kelly, who was waived by the Lakers, he played in 11 regular-season games for the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks last season, averaging 3.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. After joining the South Bay Lakers in March 2025, the 28-year-old played 32 games, starting 27 of them, averaging 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game.
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