Real Madrid have officially signed Nick Smith Jr. through the end of the 2026-27 season, the Spanish club announced Wednesday, September 16.
The 22-year-old guard joins Real Madrid after three seasons in the NBA, where he appeared in 147 games for the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Smith entered the NBA after playing at Arkansas during the 2022-23 season. He averaged 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 17 NCAA games, shooting 37.6% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range.
The Hornets selected Smith in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, and he spent his first two professional seasons in Charlotte. He averaged 5.9 points and 1.2 assists in 51 games as a rookie before raising his production to 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 60 appearances in 2024-25.
Smith also gained significant experience with the Greensboro Swarm during his time in Charlotte. He averaged 17.1 points and 4.0 assists in seven G League games during his rookie season, followed by 23.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in eight appearances in 2024-25.
Last season, Smith moved to the Los Angeles Lakers. He played 30 NBA games, averaging 6.2 points and 1.0 assist in 12.5 minutes per game while shooting 43.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range.
His G League numbers with the South Bay Lakers were considerably higher. Smith averaged 19.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 18 games, shooting 49.8% overall and 37.0% from three.
Smith now arrives in Madrid as part of a significantly reshaped roster. Real Madrid lost Trey Lyles, Mario Hezonja, Alex Len, David Kramer and Izan Almansa during the offseason, while Sergio Scariolo also departed as head coach.
Pedro Martinez has taken over as head coach, with Real Madrid adding Jaime Pradilla, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Mikael Jantunen, Max Shulga, Oliver Sarr and Damian Jones.
The addition of Smith gives Madrid another guard option following the departure of several pieces from last season’s backcourt. He joins a roster that still features Facundo Campazzo, Andres Feliz, Sergio Llull and Theo Maledon.
Real Madrid finished third in the 2025-26 EuroLeague regular season with a 24-14 record. The team then defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-1 in the playoffs before beating Valencia 105-90 in the semifinals.
Madrid ultimately finished as EuroLeague runners-up after losing 92-85 to Olympiacos in the final. Smith will now look to establish himself in European basketball and contribute to Real Madrid’s bid to return to the EuroLeague Final Four.
