The Hornets exercised the third-year team option on Smith's contract Wednesday.
This wasn't in any doubt. Although Smith isn't in Charlotte's rotation right now, he remains an intriguing developmental piece for the future.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Shows rust vs. Pacers
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Smith (groin) recorded 14 points (4-16 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block across 25 minutes in Thursday's 121-116 loss to Indiana.
Smith missed time during the preseason due to a groin injury but got the green light to suit up Thursday. He contributed across the board in the preseason finale despite struggling to find his shooting stroke. The Arkansas product's role in Charlotte's rotation is undefined heading into the 2024-25 campaign given a crowded backcourt that includes Tre Mann, Seth Curry, Vasilije Micic and KJ Simpson as reserve options.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Doesn't suit up Tuesday
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Smith (groin) didn't play in Tuesday's 111-105 preseason loss to the Knicks.
The Hornets said Smith would be re-evaluated for his left groin injury in one week from Oct. 6, but the team has yet to release any updates. Smith's status for the beginning of the regular season is now in question, and his next chance to suit up is Thursday's preseason finale against the Pacers.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: To be reevaluated in one week
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Smith sustained a left groin injury during training camp that will cause him to miss Sunday's preseason opener against the Knicks, and he is set to be reevaluated in one week.
Smith sustained the injury near the end of training camp, and it is unclear whether he will be back for Opening Night of the regular season. The 20-year-old is coming off a decent but somewhat inconsistent rookie season, during which he averaged 5.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 14.3 minutes per game in 51 regular-season outings. If Smith is out for an extended period of time, KJ Simpson and Vasilije Micic are both candidates to pick up minutes off the bench.
Hornets' Nick Smith: Leading scorer off bench Sunday
Rotowire
Smith recorded 24 points (9-20 FG, 6-11 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Sunday's 120-110 win over the Cavaliers.
Smith was the leading scorer in the Hornets' regular-season finale Sunday. His 24 points and six made threes were both career highs as he saw extended playing time with Charlotte sitting multiple rotational players. Over the last two games of the season, Smith averaged 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 31.0 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Leads bench in scoring vs. Boston
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Smith finished with 15 points (5-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes during Friday's 131-98 loss to the Celtics.
Smith's 15 points Friday marked the first time he's reached double-digit scoring since Feb. 9 against the Bucks. He's spent time in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm, but with the Hornets down several players due to injury, Smith could see another heavy workload in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cavaliers.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Inefficient in close loss
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Smith finished with four points (2-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 89-86 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Since being recalled from the G League on March 4, Smith has averaged just 2.3 points in 8.1 minutes, shooting 28.9 percent from the field. Prior to the All-Star break, the 19-year-old's numbers were considerably better, as he averaged 6.6 points in 15.8 minutes and shot 40.6 percent from the field. Despite his poor shooting lately, expect the rookie to receive playing time as the season winds down with LaMelo Ball (ankle), Seth Curry (ankle) and Cody Martin (ankle) out for the rest of the season.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Recalled to NBA
Rotowire
The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Smith hasn't appeared in an NBA game since before the All-Star break. However, with Seth Curry (ankle) and Cody Martin (ankle) joining LaMelo Ball (ankle) on the sidelines recently, there may be depth minutes available for the rookie guard.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Returns to NBA
Rotowire
The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Thursday.
Smith will be available for Thursday's game versus the Bucks. The rookie guard is averaging 6.5 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 16.4 minutes across his last 10 appearances for Charlotte.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Back with Hornets
Rotowire
The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Wednesday.
The arrival of several new players last week in the aftermath of the trade deadline resulted in Smith getting pushed out of the rotation and assigned to Greensboro, where he'll likely get the chance to play extended minutes. Though he's back with Charlotte for Wednesday's game versus Atlanta, Smith is uncertain to re-emerge in head coach Steve Clifford's rotation.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: G League bound after rotation exit
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The Hornets assigned Smith to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
In the wake of Thursday's trade deadline, the Hornets essentially overhauled their second unit. After appearing in each of the previous 28 games and averaging 18.3 minutes, Smith didn't leave the bench in Saturday's 115-106 win over the Grizzlies, and Nathan Mensah, Leaky Black and Bryce McGowens were also spectators after having previously been included in the rotation. Meanwhile, new arrivals Vasilije Micic, Seth Curry, Grant Williams and Davis Bertans all had roles off the bench in the win. Smith's demotion to the G League likely signals that the Hornets will stick with the new veteran group as their core players on the second unit for Monday's game against the Pacers.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Impressive three-point efficiency
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Smith racked up 12 points (4-10 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and one steal over 21 minutes during Friday's 126-106 loss to Oklahoma City.
Smith's skinny frame and lack of true point-guard instincts give him a learning curve as a rookie, but his three-point shooting has been off-the-charts. He connected on just 33.8 percent of 4.2 threes per game during his one-and-done campaign at Arkansas last year, so his 47.9 percent clip through 94 attempts thus far is a revelation.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Steps up in win
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Smith logged eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists across 15 minutes during Monday's 128-125 victory over Minnesota.
Smith was conducive to good ball movement and offensive activity for the Hornets on Monday, although he provided his scoring value by being a reliable spot-up man in the corner. The rookie profiles as a two-way sparkplug at the moment and is forming an exciting foundation, connecting on 45.5 percent of 77 three-point attempts thus far
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Hot shooting continues
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Smith finished Monday's 119-112 overtime loss to Chicago with 15 points (6-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 32 minutes.
The 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has forced his way into a significant role in the backcourt rotation over the last few weeks with an impressive performance from beyond the arc. Over the last eight games, Smith has drained multiple three-pointers six times and shot 58.1 percent from long distance, averaging 9.5 points, 2.3 threes, 2.1 boards and 1.8 assists in only 18.6 minutes a night from the second unit. LaMelo Ball (ankle) is closing in on his return, which will shake things up, but Smith's current run will make it tough for coach Steve Clifford to return the rookie to the end of the bench.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Hits two triples in win
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Smith closed with six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one assist and two blocks across 14 minutes during Tuesday's 111-104 victory over Sacramento.
With Charlotte shorthanded, Smith has played double-digit minutes in nine straight games, averaging 8.1 points on 45.2 percent shooting during that stretch. He should continue to garner a modest bench role as long as LaMelo Ball (ankle), Brandon Miller (hip) and Gordon Hayward (calf) remain out, but Smith isn't producing enough to be on fantasy radars in standard leagues.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Will come off bench Tuesday
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Smith will remain in the second unit for Tuesday's game against the Clippers.
Coming off a 19-point outing in Saturday's loss against Denver, Smith could have a relevant role with Brandon Miller (ankle) inactive. He could factor into small-ball lineups for Charlotte with Mark Williams (back) out.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Recalled by Charlotte
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The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Thursday.
Smith spent just a few days in the G League but will now rejoin the parent club. Over eight appearances with the Hornets this year, he's averaged 4.0 points in 7.1 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Ruled out
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Maimi.
As expected, Smith has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will miss a second straight game. The rookie hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation, so his absence shouldn't impact fantasy.
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Hornets' Nick Smith: Listed as doubtful
Rotowire
Smith (ankle) is doubtful for Monday's matchup against the Heat.
Smith is listed as doubtful for a second straight game. The rookie hasn't been a regular part of Charlotte's rotation, so his presumed absence shouldn't impact fantasy.
