Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers absolutely nailed one of their two-way spots when they added Jordan Goodwin to the roster midway through the year. Replicating that kind of success may not have taken as long in 2025-26.
Goodwin was brought in during February of the 2024-25 season, earning himself a standard contract by the end of the year, before being exiled in the offseason as a necessary cap casualty to land Marcus Smart. The Lakers found Nick Smith Jr. in September, signing him to a two-way deal.
Arriving in Los Angeles after being let go by the Charlotte Hornets was never exactly a vote of confidence for Smith's abilities.