The Los Angeles Lakers have quietly leaned on their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, in recent weeks, using assignments as a key tool to develop younger and underutilized players.
Two-way contributors Nick Smith Jr., Drew Timme, and Chris Manon have all seen time with South Bay, alongside NBA assignees Bronny James and Adou Thiero.
Among them, Smith continues to stand out as one of the organization’s most encouraging success stories.
Despite seeing his NBA minutes fluctuate throughout 2026, the 21-year-old guard has consistently delivered several scoring bursts when called upon this season.
Because of the structure of his two-way contract, Smith has also spent time sharpening his game in the G League. His latest outing served as another reminder of his offensive upside.
Lakers Two-Way Guard Continues to Shine on G League Assignment
In what was just his sixth appearance for South Bay this season, Smith returned to action on Wednesday and played a central role in a commanding 113-99 win over the Valley Suns.
Coming off the bench, he led the team with 24 points and added six assists. While his three-point shot did not fall consistently, going 1-of-7 from deep, he remained efficient overall, shooting 11-of-19 from the field while contributing two rebounds and a steal.
The performance came in a game where Bronny James recorded a season-high 21 points and Lakers rookie Adou Thiero added 14 points and seven rebounds as he continues working his way back from injury.
For Smith, it was another offensive showing that reinforced the scoring instincts that have defined his season.
Across six G League games, he is averaging 19.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and 31.9% from three-point range.
Wednesday’s effort fell just one point short of his season high, set in late January when he delivered 25 points and nine assists against the Mexico City Capitanes.
South Bay has also thrived with him in the lineup, posting a 5-1 record in games where he has been assigned, further highlighting his impact.
Two-Way Restrictions Continue to Shape Smith’s NBA Role
Smith has appeared in 25 NBA games for the Lakers this season, averaging 5.8 points in 12.7 minutes per contest while shooting an efficient 39.1% from beyond the arc.
He has already produced several memorable performances, including a 25-point outing against the Portland Trail Blazers in November, where he knocked down five three-pointers, and a 21-point showing against the Sacramento Kings in December.
His minutes average surpasses several players on standard NBA contracts, showing the trust he has earned within the rotation. However, two-way contract limitations continue to shape his usage.
Teams can only activate two-way players for 50 NBA games in a season, and according to Spotrac, the Lakers have already used 32 of Smith’s eligible appearances. As a result, the organization must carefully balance his NBA opportunities with continued development in South Bay.
For a Lakers team that has struggled to generate consistent bench scoring, Smith’s offensive spark has provided a valuable boost. His shooting efficiency and ability to create offense continue to strengthen his case for a permanent role at the NBA level.
His long-term future remains uncertain, however. Smith’s rookie contract was terminated early following his release from the Charlotte Hornets, meaning he is on track to enter the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent, rather than a restricted one like most two-way players.
That distinction could make him one of the more intriguing developmental guards available this summer if his upward trajectory continues.
Lakers Two-Way Standout Dominates in Latest G League Outing