Real Madrid signing
Former Lakers guard Nick Smith Jr. signs a one-year contract with Real Madrid.
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Key Points
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The Lakers declined their option on Nick Smith Jr.’s 2026/27 contract in late June, sending him into free agency before his move to Real Madrid.
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Smith played nearly the entire 2025/26 season on a two-way contract before being promoted to the Lakers’ 15-man roster shortly before the playoffs, making him postseason-eligible.
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In 30 regular-season appearances for the Lakers, Smith shot 39.5% from three-point range; with South Bay, he averaged 19.7 points, 5.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds across 18 G League games.
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Smith spent his first two professional seasons with Charlotte, appearing in 111 games before the Hornets waived him; he was drafted out of Arkansas with the 27th pick in 2023.
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Smith is listed at 6-foot-2, or 1.88 meters, and appeared in 31 NBA games during his time with the Hornets and Lakers.
Nick Smith Jr., a 22-year-old guard who spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has agreed to a one-year contract with Real Madrid, according to Sporting News. The move marks Smith's departure from the NBA after the Lakers declined his 2026/27 contract option in late June, making him an unrestricted free agent. Smith will join the Spanish powerhouse as a lead point guard after averaging 6.2 points in 12 minutes per game for Los Angeles while posting strong numbers in the G League.
Smith's journey has been unconventional. Selected 27th overall by Charlotte in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Arkansas, he appeared in 111 games for the Hornets before being waived. He landed with the Lakers this past season on a two-way contract, then earned promotion to the 15-man roster just before the playoffs. In 30 regular-season games for Los Angeles, Smith shot 39.5% from three-point range, showcasing the shooting touch that made him attractive to Real Madrid.
From Two-Way Deal to Spanish Opportunity
Smith's 2025-26 season with the Lakers showed the ups and downs of a young NBA player seeking consistency. He began on a two-way contract before earning promotion to the standard roster, positioning himself for playoff eligibility. His production jumped dramatically in the G League, where he averaged 19.7 points and 5.0 assists across 18 games with South Bay, adding 3.6 rebounds per game.
Real Madrid identified Smith as a solution at point guard, according to FadeAway World, viewing him as a prospect with upside. At 6-foot-2, Smith has the size and shooting ability to contribute in Europe's top leagues. His three-point shooting—39.5% in the NBA—and playmaking numbers in the G League made him an intriguing candidate for a team seeking a lead guard.
The End of an NBA Chapter for Now
The Lakers' decision to decline Smith's option in late June created an opening for the guard to explore his options. Yahoo Sports reported that roster crunch played a factor in the departure, with Los Angeles making other roster moves over the summer. Smith appeared in 31 NBA games total across his two seasons with Charlotte and Los Angeles, gaining valuable experience despite limited minutes.
Smith joins a long line of NBA players seeking opportunities overseas when minutes dry up stateside. Real Madrid's offer of a one-year deal gives him a chance to develop as a primary ball-handler in a competitive league while remaining visible to NBA scouts. At 22, Smith still has time to build his résumé in Europe before potentially returning to the NBA.
What Smith Brings to Real Madrid
Real Madrid is getting a young, lengthy point guard with proven shooting ability and assist numbers. Smith's 5.0 assists per game in the G League demonstrated his willingness and capability to run an offense. The 6-foot-2 guard's combination of size, shooting range, and playmaking fits modern basketball trends in both the NBA and European competitions.
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