Nick Smith Jr. Reacts To New Contract With Lakers

With 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. to a standard two-year deal.

Two-way players are not eligible for the postseason and the Lakers clearly felt Smith was someone whom they could potentially use. And for Smith himself, the young guard is just excited for the opportunity in front of him to take part in the playoffs for the first time in his career.

“Definitely a good opportunity for me to be a part of the playoffs,” Smith said following the Lakers’ 131-107 victory over the Utah Jazz. “It’s my first time being part of the playoffs. I came to a couple games when I was going through the [NBA Draft] process and stuff like that and it was a great experience so I’m very excited.”

Smith has certainly earned his spot. He had some big games for the Lakers early in the season with players out due to injury and has emerged over the past couple of weeks as someone who can create offense for a Lakers team that needs that with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both hurt.

Like most players would in the situation, Smith immediately talked to his parents once he found out the news.

“First person I contacted was my parents, just to get them in the loop of everything,” Smith noted. “We were very excited. It’s been a long year for me and, yeah, I was just very excited and I’m just ready for the opportunity.”

Smith was a first-round draft pick in 2023 and is still very young. The postseason is a different animal, however, but Smith has been able to rely on some of the veterans to help him throughout the season and he is ready for whatever comes next.

“I don’t know. Stuff hasn’t really hit me yet,” Smith added. “I’m just trying to enjoy the process, trust the process. I feel like all the guys have all the answers. Definitely Smart. Smarty has definitely helped me out a lot this year, especially just being vocal. And Austin has definitely been there for me. It’s a fun time for me. It’s the playoffs, it’s my first time in the playoffs so I’m excited. I’m ready to go.”

Head coach JJ Redick has deployed both Smith and Bronny James off the bench over these past couple of weeks with both rising to the challenge. If he can step up under the bright lights of the postseason, and show he can give the Lakers an offensive burst off the bench, Smith could very well carve out a role for himself and be an important piece of the playoff rotation.

Latest updates on Lakers stars Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves going into the playoffs

Exactly when Doncic or Reaves could return for the Lakers in the playoffs remains unknown, but neither will be healthy when the Lakers kick off their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.