Nick Smith Jr. on getting standard contract with Lakers
Guard Nick Smith Jr. is now eligible to play during the NBA playoffs after the Lakers converted his two-way contract into a standard deal.
Just prior to the start of this season, it looked like Nick Smith Jr. 's NBA future was in real doubt. The Charlotte Hornets had waived him in late September, and his averages of eight points on 39.
1% field-goal shooting and 1. 8 assists in 18. 9 minutes a game during his first two seasons weren't exactly attractive.
The Lakers signed him to a two-way contract, and while he got mostly only spot duty with them, he did average 19. 7 points on 51. 1% shooting and 5.
6 assists a game during the G League regular season. In the big leagues, he had a couple of semi-impressive games where he showed his peak ability as a ball-handling guard who can also score. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out due to injury, Los Angeles saw enough in Smith to convert his contract into a standard deal that runs through next season, which means he's eligible to play during the playoffs.