Nets Release Guard Malachi Smith
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The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard Malachi Smith, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Brooklyn had picked up Smith’s minimum-salary team option at the end of June, but the deal was fully non-guaranteed. As a result, the Nets will not carry any cap charge after releasing the 26-year-old.
Smith went undrafted out of Gonzaga in 2023 and spent most of his first three professional seasons in the NBA G League. The Nets brought him up during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, first on two 10-day contracts and later on a two-year standard deal.
In his initial 15 NBA appearances — including four starts — Smith averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from beyond the arc and 100 percent at the free-throw line.
He also delivered his most productive G League season in 2025/26, posting 15.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals over 29 contests (30.8 minutes) on 50.6/41.1/77.2 shooting splits.
If Smith clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent in the coming days. With only one year of NBA service, he remains eligible for a two-way contract, and the Nets currently have one two-way slot open.
Source: Hoops Rumors
