CHARLOTTE — The Hornets announced on Thursday that former first-round pick Nick Smith Jr. has been waived, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The decision opens a timely opportunity, as the Rockets could target Nick Smith Jr to strengthen their guard rotation with Fred VanVleet sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL. Selected with the 27th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the young guard carried a two-year contract worth $2.7 million and $4.9 million, with the latter structured as a team option.
Rockets Could Land Nick Smith Jr. For Key Backcourt Role
Smith Jr.’s NBA Development
In 111 career appearances, including 27 starts, Smith Jr. has averaged 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 18.9 minutes per game. His second season showed real growth. He increased his playing time from 14.3 minutes to 22.8 per contest across 60 games, while raising his scoring from 5.9 to 9.9 points. His career three-point shooting stands at 37 percent, though his accuracy dipped from .432 as a rookie to .340 last season.
A native of Jacksonville, Ark., Smith Jr. attended Sylvan Hills and North Little Rock before committing to Arkansas for his freshman year. His ability to create shots and stretch defenses still makes him a valuable prospect despite Charlotte’s roster crunch, which left him as the odd man out.
Houston’s Guard Situation
The Rockets’ depth chart highlights their need. With VanVleet unavailable, only Amen Thompson, rookie Reed Sheppard, and veteran Aaron Holiday project as capable point guards. Adding another ballhandler could prevent overloading their young guards with responsibilities too early. Nick Smith Jr. fits the Rockets perfectly. He brings upside and instant rotation help—without stretching the Rockets’ budget.
Contract Pathways for Houston
First things first, Smith Jr has to clear waivers which is likely to happen. Once that happens, the Rockets have multiple ways to bring Smith Jr. aboard. One route is signing him to a training camp deal, such as an Exhibit 9 or Exhibit 10 contract. If he impresses, Houston could transition him to a minimum or two-way deal. To stay compliant under the collective bargaining agreement, the deal would likely need partial guarantees if it’s a minimum.
For second-year players, the minimum salary this season is about $2.0–2.1 million. However, Houston is just $1.25 million below the first apron and remains hard-capped. Structuring the deal with an early guarantee date would limit the initial cap hit to $1.2 million while preserving flexibility. If he sticks past January 10, the remainder of the contract locks in.
Alternatively, the Rockets could clear a two-way slot for Smith Jr. Yet convincing him to accept that path could prove difficult, as rival teams may offer a minimum contract.
A Logical Match
This scenario places Houston in a favorable position. The franchise needs immediate depth in the backcourt, and Smith Jr. offers skill and upside. His scoring ability, youth, and low financial risk align with Houston’s competitive goals. For the Rockets, Nick Smith Jr looks like the perfect stopgap for VanVleet while also developing into a long-term piece.
Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Image
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