Short answer: Nick Smith Jr. recently earned a standard NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026 season, transitioning from a two-way deal and solidifying a playoff-ready roster spot. The move was reported in early April 2026 and followed his late-2025 two-way stint, with his new deal spanning two seasons and potentially including team options or protections typical of roster promotions. He expressed excitement about making the playoffs and contributing to the team’s depth.
Further context and key details:
Would you like a brief table summarizing the contract timelines and playing time with the Lakers, or a quick one-paragraph bio of Nick Smith Jr. with emphasis on this contract milestone? I can also pull the latest quotes from Smith and team sources if you want. Citations for the above come from multiple outlet reports around April 2026 documenting the contract conversion and its implications.[2][1][5]
This summer has been an eventful one for the Los Angeles Lakers and has seen them make several roster upgrades. Nonetheless, with the training camp being just a few days away, it seemed like the Purple & Gold were done making moves in free agency.
www.yardbarker.comThe Lakers are converting Nick Smith Jr.‘s two-way contract into a two-year standard deal, agent Lucas Newton tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
www.yardbarker.comWith the regular season coming to an end, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to make one final roster move. The team released Kobe Bufkin, opening up a roster spot for the playoffs and to fill that spot, they converted the two-way contract of Nick Smith Jr.
www.yardbarker.comNick Smith Jr. has signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The move comes just four days after the Hornets waived him amid their roster crunch. Smith, 21, was
hoopswire.comThe Lakers are promoting guard Nick Smith Jr. from his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract, his agent told Shams Charania of ESPN. Smith will receive a two-year deal, giving Los Angeles another depth option heading into the playoffs.
www.yardbarker.comThe Lakers have added Nick Smith Jr. on a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link via Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.
www.yardbarker.comNick Smith Jr. is excited about the opportunity to participate in his first playoffs after signing a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
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