This summer, the Los Angeles Lakers have significantly improved their roster. Well, that shouldn’t be much of a surprise given the Purple & Gold’s solid business throughout the offseason. Not only did the franchise address its big man issues by landing former No. 1 pick De’Andre Ayton, but they also added depth by acquiring former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. However, after watching these signings, many thought they were done for the summer. But it seems the front office had other plans.

That’s because ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has reported that the Lakers have added a new guard to their roster. “Nick Smith Jr. will be signing with the Lakers on a two-way contract, sources told ESPN. The 21-year-old point guard averaged 9.9 points and 2.4 assists for CHA last season,” he tweeted. It’s safe to say that no one saw this move coming, that too, just days before the team is set to enter its much-awaited training camp. Nonetheless, the former first-round pick will be a great addition to LA’s roster.

More so, because just last week, the Hornets waived off the young guard in what can only be described as a shocking move. After which, Smith Jr. had the chance to keep his contract on another team, but no one picked him up, making him an unrestricted free agent. Now, the 21-year-old will be hoping to prove himself in front of JJ Redick. Although getting into the rotation won’t be easy for Nick Smith Jr., he did have a solid stat line while suiting up for the Charlotte Hornets last season.

During the 2024-25 season, the Arkansas native averaged 9.9 points, along with 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, playing 60 games for the Hornets. That’s a solid stat line, if we’ve ever seen one. Not to mention that the six-foot-two guard is a pretty great two-way player and can also play both as a guard and a forward. This should give you a much clearer idea of why the Lakers’ front office has picked him. Nonetheless, while Nick Smith Jr. is a decent addition for LA on his own, his arrival has been fueled by none other than Andrew Wiggins.

The Lakers’ pursuit of Andrew Wiggins takes a massive hit

For weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been eying a strong two-way player to add much-needed depth to their roster, and Andrew Wiggins was on top of the team’s target list. However, now the Purple & Gold have acquired Nick Smith Jr. on a two-way deal instead of the Miami Heat star. So, what caused this? Well, while a huge factor why Rob Pelinka and Co. could not execute the trade to land Wiggins was the reportedly steep asking price set for the former NBA champion, that wasn’t the only one.

That’s because during his most recent interview, Andrew Wiggins indicated that he’s quite happy with his current employers. “I feel blessed to be here. I feel Miami is a great city with a great organization. I love my teammates and coaching staff. We’re preparing for a big year, and I’m very happy to be here,” he said. While it’s a fantastic message for the people around him in Miami, the same cannot be said for the Lakers. Why? Well, because this indicates that Wiggins is all but set to enter the upcoming season as a Heat player.

This means that the Lakers’ plans of acquiring him are fading away, if not already faded. It’s disappointing news for the Lakers Nation, as Andrew Wiggins would’ve been a staggering addition on top of the signings the Purple & Gold have already made. After all, despite being traded to Miami midway through the season, the former All-Star managed to average 19 points along with 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17 games for the Heat.

Nonetheless, it seems like he will now enter his first season with his new franchise. Meanwhile, the Lakers will have to focus on the players they currently have on their team and work with them in order to achieve the goals they’ve set out for the upcoming season, as we eagerly await the new campaign.