Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers absolutely nailed one of their two-way spots when they added Jordan Goodwin to the roster midway through the year. Replicating that kind of success may not have taken as long in 2025-26.
Goodwin was brought in during February of the 2024-25 season, earning himself a standard contract by the end of the year, before being exiled in the offseason as a necessary cap casualty to land Marcus Smart. The Lakers found Nick Smith Jr. in September, signing him to a two-way deal.
Arriving in Los Angeles after being let go by the Charlotte Hornets was never exactly a vote of confidence for Smith's abilities. However, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers saw a young player, only 21 years old, and a former first-round pick. They took their low-risk, high-reward shot.
Smith's first two games with the Lakers did him no favors in generating fanfare regarding his abilities. The former Arkansas product only scored 4.5 points per game, shooting a woeful 27.3 percent from the field. Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers told a different story.
Nick Smith Jr. turning limited opportunities into undeniable momentum
The Lakers went into the matchup against the Trail Blazers with a clear plan to rest their stars. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were added to an injury report that already included LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, and Adou Thiero.
The Lakers have ruled Luka Donฤiฤ and Austin Reaves out tonight in Portland on the second night of a back-to-back: pic.twitter.com/UlxLzGGKDC
โ Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 3, 2025
As a result, extra minutes opened up off the bench for Smith to make an impact. By the end of the ball game, the Lakers guard had more playing time than anyone else of that second unit.
Smith came in for 27 minutes, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, to go with six assists and one steal. The Lakers needed offense and players who could handle the ball with so many of their usual suppliers of that aspect being absent. Smith answered the call.
What made it all the more impressive was him being under the weather for this one too. Smith threw up at halftime, refusing to miss his moment.
JJ on Nick Smith getting sick and throwing up at halftime:
"It's a good reminder to go wash my hands" ๐ pic.twitter.com/oUEt49Z0ks
โ Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) November 4, 2025
Smith's performance stood out to everyone around him, including his teammates. Marcus Smart was certainly not shy about offering words of praise to the young Lakers guard (h/t Khobi Price).
Smart said, "Nick works his ass off each and every day. He's a special talent with an ability that not a lot of people have. It was just good to finally see him able to go out there and show that ability. We needed it tonight."
With the Lakers being banged up, and a team with so many variables, this will not be the last time Smith is called upon for bench minutes. If the response to that next opportunity is anywhere near as good as this one, it won't be long until the shot-making guard creates a long-term role for himself.