Lakers Sign Guard Ahead of Playoffs Amid Injury Concerns

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. on a new two-year contract, his agent Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports told ESPN.

This signing gives the Lakers much-needed depth at the guard position as they enter the NBA postseason without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are both sidelined with injuries to close out the 2025-26 regular season.

Doncic could miss the entire first round of the playoffs as he deals with a Grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered on April 2. Reaves is on a similar timeline after sustaining a Grade 2 oblique strain during the same loss to the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Smith entered the league as the Charlotte Hornets’ No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The former Arkansas guard appeared in 29 regular-season games for the Lakers this season, averaging six points and one assist through 12.3 minutes minutes per game for JJ Redick’s Los Angeles squad.

Smith shoots 43.3% from the field and 40% from behind the 3-point arc.

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LeBron James has been asked to step up in a big way with both Doncic and Reaves out. The 41-year-old NBA veteran is averaging 28 points, 12.6 assists and 7.6 rebounds per game in his three contests without the star guards. His son, Bronny James Jr., has also seen increased playing time at the guard position.

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The Lakers currently hold No. 4 position in the Western Conference with a 52-29 record. They could jump into the No. 3 spot with a win over the Utah Jazz and a San Antonio Spurs win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday evening.

The Lakers will tipoff against the Jazz at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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This story was originally published April 12, 2026 at 5:59 PM.