Once a five-star high school student in the United States, but became a abandoned player in the Hornets. The Lakers and Rockets are interested in Nick Smith

According to NBA reporter Keith Smith's latest report, Nick Smith Jr. has passed the clarification period and is now a full free agent and can sign any team. Then a reporter followed up and reported: It said that the Rockets, Lakers, Trail Blazers and Bulls all showed interest in signing the defender.

was once the top three five-star high school students in the United States, but now he has become a abandoned player in the Hornets and has become a free agent. What has Nick Smith experienced?

Time goes back to earlier in 2022, Smith is also the third five-star high school student among the ESPN 100 players, and was once considered a popular candidate in the top three in the draft.

But such a person who was praised as the altar in high school did not meet expectations in one season at the University of Arkansas, with an average of 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, and a shooting percentage of 37.6%, which gradually declined in his draft market. In the 2023 draft, the Hornets were selected with the No. 27 pick in the first round!

In the past two seasons, Smith has made 111 appearances for the Hornets, averaging 8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, and shooting percentage is only 39.1%. Such data is obviously not satisfactory for a scorer who has been highly anticipated. In the 2024-25 season, Smith got more playing time, averaging 9.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. However, offensive efficiency is still sluggish, shooting percentage is only 39.1% and three-point shooting percentage is 34%.

But in eight games in the Development League, he averaged 23 points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, which also proves that he still has the ability to score in low-level games, but cannot continue to play at the NBA level. The Hornets finally decided to sack Smith, which was closely related to his inefficient performance on the offensive end. "Smith's performance in the past two seasons has been less than ideal, and his offensive efficiency has been relatively sluggish," commented a NBA analyst.

Although the offense is sluggish, the physical confrontation is insufficient, and the ball quotient needs to be improved, its instant acceleration ability, smooth shooting movements, and the characteristics of being able to play with or without a ball still allow the Rockets and the Lakers to extend an olive branch to him!

So who will Smith eventually fall into?

In fact, except for the salary space, the Rockets are definitely more suitable for Smith. You should know that his draft template is Clarkson, who is the one who takes the ball and shoots! In addition, Van Vleet has recently suffered a cruciate ligament torn and may face season reimbursement. If you go to the Rockets, you may have more opportunities to get mobile phones. In terms of resources, you will be slightly tilted!

But the Rockets currently have no two-way contract quota. If they want to sign Smith, they may need to make a deal first to make room, or provide a training camp contract directly to prove themselves in the training camp!

Unlike the Rockets, the Lakers may have more roster flexibility to sign Smith. They can use a two-way contract to give him a chance, with relatively less risk. As early as before the 2023 draft, the team followed the team's reporters to report on the Lakers' interest in Smith. At that time, the Lakers believed that he "showed excellent dribbling and shooting skills." And now there is another opportunity to renew your relationship!

So who do you think this former top three or five-star high school student in the United States will eventually fall into?