Brooklyn just pulled the plug on Malachi Smith, cutting the guard from the squad, even after he showed some serious flashes on the court. It’s a tough look for our Spokane guy, who only signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal back in April after grinding through two 10-day contracts with the organization. The Nets even exercised his minimum salary team option in June, so this move feels pretty abrupt.
Flashes of Brilliance and the Nets' Quick Hook
Smith played 15 games for the Nets this past season, even getting four starts, and he put up some solid numbers. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. And get this: his shooting splits were an impressive 48.5 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from three-point range, and a perfect 100.0 percent at the free throw line! Yeah, you read that right, 100 percent. Those kinds of numbers should buy a guy more time, especially when he’s just getting his feet wet in the league. You have to wonder what the Nets are thinking, letting go of that kind of efficiency.From Spokane to the Grind: What's Next for the 26-Year-Old
At 26 years old, Smith's journey has already been a grind. After starting his college ball at Wright State and then Chattanooga, he made his way to Spokane, Washington, playing for Gonzaga in 2023. He even snagged the West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year award that year before entering the 2023 NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of eligibility. Undrafted, he's spent time in the G League with teams like the Rip City Remix, Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Hustle, and the Long Island Nets. Now, it looks like he’ll most likely be heading back to the G League with another franchise. It’s a shame to see a player with that kind of local connection and proven talent get cut when he showed so much promise. You gotta feel for the guy. Malachi proved he could hang in the NBA, especially with those shooting numbers. Hopefully, he catches on somewhere else and gets another shot. The G League grind is real, but a talent like Malachi, especially with that Gonzaga grit, can absolutely fight his way back to the big show.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.