The Lakers and Rockets are all interested! The market situation after the backcourt star was cut by the Hornets seems to be quite good?

According to the latest news from Keith Smith, founder of Sportac, American sports salary media, Nick Smith Jr. has passed the clarification period and is currently a full free agent, which also means he can sign with any team. According to previous news, Charlotte Hornets officially announced that they have laid off Smith. According to a report by OOSSports reporter Rob Murrows, a source revealed to him that the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Chicago Bulls have all shown interest in signing the young backcourt player. In this way, there may be a battle for Smith next.

Smith was born in April 2004. He is 21 years old, 188cm tall and weighs 84kg. He is the backcourt player selected by the Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft in the 27th pick in the first round. In the NBA regular season last season, Smith made a total of 60 appearances, averaging 22.8 minutes per game, averaging 9.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.1 blocks, and 1.4 turnovers and 1.3 fouls. His shooting percentage was 39.1%, three-point shooting percentage was 34%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 93.5%. In the NBA Development League last season, Smith made a total of 8 appearances, averaging 33 minutes per game, with averaging 23 points, 4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks, 2.2 turnovers and 2.1 fouls, shooting percentage of 42.4%, three-point shooting percentage of 35.5%, and free throw shooting percentage of 93.8%. Although Smith is the first round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and is also the top five-star high school student in the United States in 2022, Smith's performance is not ideal after entering the NBA arena. In fact, the Hornets have given him a lot of playing time and performance opportunities in the past two seasons, but his offensive efficiency has always been average, his three-point shooting percentage has not been particularly ideal, and his instability is also visible to the naked eye. No one knows whether he is a god or a ghost in the next game. Overall, Smith has never been able to realize his potential, which may also be an important factor in the Hornets losing confidence in him and cutting him off.

However, Smith is also a young player with great potential, and judging from the situation last season, Smith has indeed played out his super scoring ability on the offensive end in some games. What Smith lacks may be sufficient stability. After all, he is only 21 years old. If he can suddenly get to know his skills, he will still have the opportunity to realize his talents. Or he still has the opportunity to grow into a qualified bench scorer. I don't know how the situation will develop next. Will Smith get a two-way contract or standard contract from a team that is interested in him and return to the NBA?