Lakers Two-Way Standout Forcing Major Roster Decision

The Los Angeles Lakers’ bench production has drawn attention for largely the wrong reasons this season.

Los Angeles currently ranks 29th in the NBA in bench scoring, averaging just 29.4 points per game.

Recent moves have helped stabilize the second unit somewhat. The trade deadline addition of Luke Kennard has provided a reliable perimeter threat, while Rui Hachimura’s increased role off the bench has also offered a boost.

Still, one of the most encouraging, and somewhat unexpected, bright spots has been two-way guard Nick Smith Jr.

The young guard has repeatedly provided instant offense when called upon, demonstrating that he can impact games at the NBA level. However, the structure of his contract has limited how often the Lakers can utilize him.

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Lakers Two-Way Guard Continues to Shine in G League

Because Smith is on a two-way contract, he has spent considerable time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

During those assignments, he has continued to build momentum and strengthen his case for a larger NBA opportunity.

In Wednesday’s 129-120 win over the Oklahoma City Blue, the 21-year-old delivered another standout performance, scoring a team-high 28 points, just two shy of his season-high.

Smith shot 9-of-18 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range while converting all five of his free throw attempts. He also contributed across the board, adding seven rebounds and six assists.

Just two games earlier, on February 26, Smith exploded for a season-best 30 points along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

In that outing, he shot a blistering 13-of-16 from the field while knocking down two three-pointers.

Across nine G League appearances this season, Smith is averaging 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting an efficient 52.1% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range.

South Bay has gone 8-1 in the games Smith has played, highlighting the tangible impact he continues to make when assigned.

His dominance at that level increasingly suggests he may have little left to prove in the G League and could be ready for a more permanent NBA role.

Smith has also shown flashes with the Lakers. Through 25 NBA games this season, he is averaging 5.8 points in 12.7 minutes per contest while shooting an impressive 39.1% from three-point range.

He has already delivered several notable performances, including a 25-point outing against the Portland Trail Blazers in November, where he hit five three-pointers, and a 21-point performance against the Sacramento Kings in December.

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Contract Situation Creates Difficult Decision for Los Angeles

Despite that progress, Smith’s two-way contract places clear 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.

His contractual situation also adds another layer of intrigue.

After being waived by the Charlotte Hornets during his rookie deal, Smith is on track to enter the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent rather than a restricted one, an uncommon scenario for a player currently on a two-way contract.

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

Following the trade deadline, general manager Rob Pelinka made a surprising roster move by promoting South Bay standout Kobe Bufkin to a permanent two-year NBA contract after a brief stint on a 10-day deal.

Since signing that deal, Bufkin has logged just 38 minutes across five appearances, including a 24-minute outing against the San Antonio Spurs on February 10.

In theory, the Lakers could have instead converted Smith to a standard contract while retaining Bufkin on a two-way deal, a move that would have secured Smith’s future in Los Angeles while maintaining roster flexibility.

Instead, Smith now appears poised to enter the offseason as one of the most intriguing young guards on the market, with his G League dominance and flashes at the NBA level strengthening the case for a larger opportunity elsewhere.

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