The Los Angeles Lakers have spent much of the season searching for consistency beyond their star power, but an unlikely solution has begun to emerge from the end of the bench.
Nick Smith Jr. has quietly built a compelling case for why the franchise needs to place greater trust in its underused development pipeline.
Signed to a two-way deal after being waived by the Charlotte Hornets in September, Smith arrived in Los Angeles with little fanfare. As injuries, rest nights, and rotation instability have mounted, however, the 21-year-old guard has repeatedly stepped into meaningful minutes and delivered tangible production.
Smith’s impact has been highlighted by a 25-point performance in a November win over the Portland Trail Blazers and more recently by a 21-point outing in a 125-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Those contributions came at a time when the Lakers were searching for energy and scoring punch amid an inconsistent stretch, reinforcing the value of having young, prepared depth ready to contribute.
Head coach JJ Redick has previously stressed the importance of investing in player development, particularly through the G League pipeline. Smith’s emergence serves as a timely example of why that philosophy matters both now and in the future.
Nick Smith Jr. Making the Case From the Bench
Smith’s rise reflects a broader issue the Lakers continue to navigate: how willing they are to trust young, affordable talent within a win-now framework. For a franchise regularly operating under cap constraints and with limited draft assets, internal development has rarely been more valuable.
Through 13 NBA appearances this season, Smith is averaging 8.6 points per game while shooting an impressive 42.9 percent from three-point range. He has provided instant offense in short stints and avoided looking overwhelmed when called upon. His role does not require nightly production, but his readiness whenever needed has been difficult to ignore.
His path, shaped by extended G League reps paired with short NBA opportunities, mirrors the type of development success the Lakers have struggled to maximize consistently. Rather than treating two-way players as emergency depth, Smith has shown he can contribute within a defined role right now.
Letting Developmental Talent Slipping Away
The Lakers have a history of uncovering undervalued guards, most notably Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso, both of whom emerged from non-traditional paths to become meaningful NBA contributors.
Jordan Clarkson, Gary Payton II, and Max Christie also spent developmental time with South Bay, the Lakers G League affiliate, before carving out larger roles.
Despite that track record, the franchise has often struggled to retain and capitalize on its G League talent in recent years. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff both slipped away after only being on standard G League deals, later becoming productive NBA contributors elsewhere. Last season, Jordan Goodwin showed value before being waived and finding a role with the Phoenix Suns.
That pattern risks repeating itself with Kobe Bufkin, a current South Bay standout who has delivered sustained scoring and playmaking performances while still remaining on a standard G League contract as league-wide call-ups accelerate following the annual Winter Showcase.
Two-Way Players Highlight Further Untapped Talent
Even the Lakers’ current two way group further highlights the untapped value within the organization’s development system. Alongside Smith Jr., Drew Timme and Chris Manon occupy the remaining two way slots, yet both have been limited almost exclusively to late-game minutes.
Timme has been one of South Bay’s most productive players, averaging a team-high 25.5 points per game before earning his contract midseason, while Manon has quietly emerged as one of the G League’s best perimeter defenders, ranking third league-wide in steals.
For a Lakers team still searching for consistency, athleticism, and defensive edge, the lack of opportunity afforded to either player reflects a familiar reluctance to trust internal options. Their production at the G League level suggests there may be immediate rotational value being left unexplored.
Smith’s production raises an uncomfortable question for the Lakers. If a young guard on a two-way deal can deliver this level of impact when trusted, why has the development pipeline so rarely been prioritized as a sustainable solution?
Smith’s rise is not just a pleasant surprise. It’s clear evidence that the pipeline works when given real opportunity and patience.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Bench Star Highlights Underutilized Development Pipeline appeared first on Heavy Sports.