Lakers Two-Way Star Puts NBA Teams on Alert Amid Uncertainty

While the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench unit has drawn attention for largely the wrong reasons this season, Nick Smith Jr. has quietly emerged as one of its most encouraging bright spots.

The two-way guard has delivered instant offense on multiple occasions, showing he is capable of impacting games at the NBA level.

However, due to the restrictions tied to his contract, Smith has continued to split time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where he has continued to build momentum and reinforce his long-term potential.

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Lakers Guard Continues to Dominate in G League Assignments

On Thursday, Smith delivered his most emphatic G League performance of the season in what was just his seventh appearance at that level.

Coming off the bench, the 21-year-old erupted for a season-high 30 points in 30 minutes, shooting a remarkable 13-of-16 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range.

He also contributed six rebounds, four assists, and two steals as South Bay secured a commanding 129-98 victory over the Valley Suns, extending their winning streak to five games.

Smith’s influence was reflected in an eye-catching plus-42 rating, underlining just how dominant he was during his minutes.

Fellow Lakers two-way player Drew Timme added 25 points and eight rebounds, while Bronny James contributed 12 points in another strong team showing.

The performance came just one day after Smith recorded 24 points and six assists in the opening game of the back-to-back set against the Suns, further highlighting his growing consistency.

Across seven G League appearances this season, the 6-foot-2 guard is averaging 21.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting an efficient 52.3% from the field and 34.0% from beyond the arc.

South Bay holds a 6-1 record in those games, reinforcing the tangible impact Smith has had whenever assigned.

His production at that level has increasingly suggested that he has outgrown the G League and is ready for a more permanent opportunity in the NBA.

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Los Angeles Carefully Managing Smith’s Role Amid Contract Limits

Smith has already carved out a meaningful role with the Lakers this season, appearing in 25 NBA games and averaging 5.8 points in 12.7 minutes per contest while shooting an impressive 39.1% from three-point range.

He has delivered several standout moments, including a 25-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers in November, where he connected on five three-pointers, and a 21-point outing against the Sacramento Kings in December.

His ability to generate offense quickly has provided a much-needed scoring spark for a Lakers bench unit that has struggled for consistency.

Despite that progress, his two-way contract places firm limitations on his availability. Players on two-way deals can only be active for 50 NBA games in a season, and according to Spotrac, the Lakers have already used 32 of Smith’s eligible appearances.

As a result, the organization must balance maximizing his NBA impact with preserving flexibility for later in the season.

That balancing act has made his G League assignments less a reflection of performance and more a strategic necessity.

Smith’s contract situation also adds another layer of intrigue to his future. After being waived by the Charlotte Hornets during his rookie deal, he is on track to enter the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent rather than a restricted one, unlike most players on two-way deals.

That status would give him greater freedom to explore opportunities across the league.

If his current trajectory continues, Smith could emerge as one of the most intriguing young scoring guards available, with his performances for the Lakers increasingly making a compelling case for a permanent NBA role.

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans