Brooklyn Nets Waive Malachi Smith

According to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis, the Brooklyn Nets have cut guard Malachi Smith from the team. The former Gonzaga Bulldog signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal back in April after two 10-day contracts with the organization. Brooklyn exercised Smith’s minimum salary team option in June.

In 15 games (four starts) played with the Nets to close out this past season, Smith averaged 8.3 points on a shooting split of 48.5 percent from the field/43.5 percent on three-pointers/100.0 percent at the free throw line, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

The 26-year-old will most likely have to return to the NBA G League with another franchise. He’s had stops with the Portland Trail Blazers‘ Rip City Remix, Milwaukee Bucks‘ Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Grizzlies‘ Memphis Hustle, and the Brooklyn Nets’ Long Island Nets over the last three seasons.

Smith started his collegiate career with the Wright State Raiders from 2018-19, transferred to the Chattanooga Mocs from 2020-22, before making his way to Spokane, Washington. He was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 before entering his name into the 2023 NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of college eligibility. Smith would go undrafted.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho