​According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Brooklyn Nets have released guard Malachi Smith. The former Gonzaga Bulldog signed a two-year, non-guaranteed contract this past April after two ten-day stints with the team. In June, Brooklyn exercised Smith’s minimum salary team option. Over 15 appearances, including four starts, last season with the Nets, Smith posted averages of 8.3 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from three-point range, and 100.0 percent at the free-throw line. He also contributed 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest.
At 26 years old, Smith will likely need to rejoin the NBA G League, potentially with another organization. His professional path over the past three seasons has included time with the Portland Trail Blazers’ Rip City Remix, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Wisconsin Herd, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Memphis Hustle, and the Brooklyn Nets’ Long Island Nets.
Smith began his college career with the Wright State Raiders in 2018-19, transferred to the Chattanooga Mocs for 2020-22, and later moved to Spokane, Washington. He earned West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2023 before entering the 2023 NBA Draft, foregoing his remaining collegiate eligibility. He went undrafted.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area. Follow him on X @a_cravalho.