Announcement: Joining! Goodbye, Lakers! First-round guard leaves NBA.

Reporter Scotto reports:Little Nick Smith signs a one-year contract with Real Madrid basketball and will be the team's main point guard.

As a former Lakers teammate, Bronny commented on the related news to wish Smith well: "That's crazy bro, go show out!!!"

This guy is the 27th pick of the first round in the 2023 draft, a 1.88m tall and 83kg guard. His past NBA career includes stints with the Hornets and Lakers. Stats are as follows:

Regular season averages: 17.5 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, with shooting percentages of 39.8% FG, 37.4% 3PT, and 88.2% FT;

Playoff averages: 3 minutes, 2.7 points, 0.2 rebounds, 0.2 assists, with shooting percentages of 42.9% FG, 42.9% 3PT, and 50% FT.

Since Smith was selected as a first-round pick in the NBA, he definitely has some skills, especially his scoring talent which stands out,In a November 2025 game representing the Lakers against the Trail Blazers, he played 27 minutes and shot 10-for-15 efficiently, scoring 25 points plus 6 assists and 2 steals, but his poor physical static conditions make him a defensive liability, like an ATM for opponents.

In short, guards who are strong offensively but weak defensively are no longer in demand in the NBA. Even players like "Little Train" Cameron Thomas (21st pick in the first round of 2021) who averaged 20+ points per game for two consecutive seasons are unwanted in free agency, let alone Smith who only occasionally shows bright spots.

By the way, Little Train had a chance to get a big contract, but last offseason he rejected the Nets' offer of a 2-year, $30 million extension (team option in second year), or a 1-year, $9.5 million plus $1.5 million bonus but requiring him to waive his no-trade clause. Instead, he chose to accept a 1-year, $6 million qualifying offer for the 25-26 season. Then he was waived mid-season, and after joining the Bucks, he played only 18 games before being waived again...

If one day you see news that Little Train brings his talent to the CBA, there's no need to be surprised~