The Brooklyn Nets have made Malachi Smith's stay permanent, signing the emerging guard to a two-year NBA contract after his second 10-day deal expired. The agreement ensures Smith will remain with the team through the 2026/27 season.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Nets and Smith finalized the deal following his productive stint with the team. While specific contract details remain undisclosed, the deal is unlikely to include guaranteed money for next season.
The 6'4" guard has made the most of his opportunity since being called up from the Long Island Nets in March. In his first 10 NBA games, Smith has averaged 7.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 18.2 minutes per game while posting exceptional shooting percentages.
Smith's remarkable efficiency includes 52.7% from the field and 54.5% from three-point range, having made 12-of-22 attempts from beyond the arc. The undrafted Gonzaga product has transformed his G League experience into immediate NBA production.
"The mentality is leave it all on the floor," Smith said after scoring 15 points against Atlanta on Friday. "I'm someone that has been praying for this opportunity and working for this opportunity for years, so I'm not going to take any minute for granted."
The 26-year-old emphasized his approach regardless of playing time: "I always tell myself, I don't care if I get one minute or 10 minutes. I'm going to be able to go to sleep at night knowing I played as hard as I can, and whatever happens after that, I can live with the results."
Smith's basketball journey includes stints with multiple G League affiliates—the Rip City Remix, Wisconsin Herd, and Memphis Hustle—before joining the Long Island Nets this season. His perseverance through the developmental league system finally yielded his NBA breakthrough in March.
The Nets' roster configuration allows them to add Smith without making corresponding moves. Although Brooklyn technically has 15 players on standard contracts, Tre Scott's hardship 10-day deal creates flexibility to bring Smith back without waiving anyone.
Financially, Smith has earned $254,794 this season through his training camp contract ($42,650 partial guarantee) and two 10-day deals ($73,153 each). His new minimum-salary contract will pay him $65,838 for the remainder of the season if signed on Saturday.
The Nets, who maintain the NBA's lowest payroll, could potentially offer Smith more than the minimum using their remaining cap room. His official signing was confirmed through the NBA's transaction log on Saturday afternoon.
Smith's story represents another success from the G League development pathway, demonstrating how undrafted players can earn NBA opportunities through consistent performance and readiness. His immediate impact suggests he could become a valuable rotation piece for Brooklyn's backcourt moving forward.
