The Charlotte Hornets are releasing guard Nick Smith Jr., league sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype on September 25.
Smith, 21, was selected 27th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. In his second season he appeared in 67 games, started 27 and averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds.
Charlotte’s decision stems from a roster logjam. Prior to the move, the club had 16 players on fully guaranteed contracts, plus Moussa Diabaté and DaQuan Jeffries on non-guaranteed deals. Jeffries was cut last week, but offseason additions Mason Plumlee, Spencer Dinwiddie, Pat Connaughton and Collin Sexton left management needing to trim at least one more guaranteed contract.
Once Smith clears waivers, the Hornets will carry 15 guaranteed contracts along with Diabaté’s non-guaranteed deal, three two-way players and Isaih Moore on an Exhibit 10 agreement. Diabaté averaged 5.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 71 games last season and is one of only three Hornets taller than 6-foot-10, complicating any decision to part ways with the 22-year-old forward.
Smith is owed $2.7 million for 2025-26 and has a $4.9 million team option for 2026-27. Because of the modest salary, another team could claim him off waivers; Brooklyn is viewed as a potential suitor but also faces its own roster squeeze. If he goes unclaimed, Smith would be eligible to sign a two-way contract elsewhere.
The Hornets’ crowded backcourt now features Dinwiddie, Sexton, Connaughton, Tre Mann, Josh Green and rookies Kon Knueppel and Sion James, making Smith the odd man out despite his first-round pedigree.
Source: HoopsRumors
