Former Razorbacks' guard Nick Smith looking for new team after getting waived

Charlott's former first-round pick led all NBA rookies in three-point shooting percentage in 2023-24

Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) passes against Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) during the third quarter at Scotiabank Arena. | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a move that on the surface seemed stunning, the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday waived their 2023 NBA Draft first round pick, Nick Smith Jr.

A Jacksonville, Ark., native and former Arkansas Razorbacks star guard, Smith (6-3) started in 27 of the 60 games he played in for the Hornets in 2024-25. He averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per outing while shooting 39.1% from the field, including 34.9% from 3, and 93.5% from the free-throw line in what appeared to be a solid NBA year-two campaign.

In his first NBA season in '23-24, Smith led all NBA rookies in three-point field goal shooting at 43.2% as he made 62-of-146 shots from distance.

The team chose to exercise its option with year three of Smith's rookie contract back in October 2024, which at the time appeared to suggest Smith would be safely headed for a third NBA season in Charlotte (this season).

But following the '24-25 season, Charlotte loaded up on guards in the 2025 NBA Draft in June as well as in free agency and via trade, making it a certainty that veteran players would be either traded or waived.

Although Smith was waived, because the team picked up its option in year three of his rookie deal, he's guaranteed the full $2.7 million owed him for this season.

The timing of his release gives Smith a chance to sign with another NBA team for the start of training camp and preseason games.

thank you, nsj 💜

Press release: https://t.co/CxAjWVjoXx pic.twitter.com/4mVhFgtkDI

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 25, 2025

Smith's two-season NBA career resume:

• 111 games played including 27 starts

• Career-best performance of 28 points (8-of-13 field goals, including 6-of-9 from 3, and 6-of-6 free throws), 10 assists, and 6 rebounds in 37 minutes in a 126-96 road loss to the Toronto Raptors on April 9, 2025

• Five games of scoring 20 or more points

• 35 games of scoring in double figures

• Career-high 6 made three-point field goals in a single game (three times)

Smith was the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, becoming only the 15th Razorback all-time to be picked in the first round of the draft.

He became the third one-and-done in program history to be drafted, joining his Arkansas teammate and current Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black and former Arkansas star and current Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody.

Just In: The Charlotte Hornets are waiving Nick Smith Jr, league sources told @hoopshype. He averaged 9.9 points and 2.4 assists in 22.8 minutes, while starting 27 of 60 games played for Charlotte last season. He’s shot 37% from 3-point range so far during his NBA career. pic.twitter.com/13nLiMldPD

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 25, 2025

Smith is part of the Razorbacks program having a player(s) selected in five consecutive drafts (2019-2023). He is the 40th Hog to be selected all-time in the NBA Draft.

Smith missed more than half of his freshman season as a Razorback in 2022-23 due to a knee injury, playing in 17 games (and missing 19) with 12 of those coming after a two-month absence in the middle of the season. 

A two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree, Smith averaged 12.5 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 assists in 25.8 minutes per game while shooting 37.6% from the field, including 33.8% from 3, and 74.0% from the free throw line.

He scored 20 or more points five times at Arkansas, including his career-high 26 points in a home win over Georgia. 

Smith also had game-saving performances in wins over Auburn in the '22-23 SEC Tournament (he hit the game-winning shot and finished with 14 points) and North Carolina-Greensboro (team-high 22 points).

His 21-point effort was key in the Hogs' revenge-win over Oklahoma in December 2022 in Tulsa, Okla. 

He had a game-high 24 points to go with 6 rebounds and 2 steals in an 86-83 road loss to then-No. 2 Alabama in March 2023. He had a team-high 25 points to go with 6 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds in the team's 88-79 home loss to then-No. 23 Kentucky in March 2023.

Smith was the national No. 1 -ranked incoming college freshman in '22-23 and a consensus Top 10-projected lottery pick in 2023 mock drafts before he ever played his first game as a Hog. 

He was in and out of the lineup due to the knee issue and never quite got into a rhythm or groove as he was effectively working through mid-season form once the team advanced to the postseason