The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to find bargain contracts under Rob Pelinka, and Nick Smith Jr. leaving the NBA to sign with Real Madrid is just his latest swing and a miss. The purple and gold signed Nick Smith Jr. after the Hornets waived him in Sept. 2025. He signed a two-way contract before it was converted in April to make him eligible to play in the playoffs. Smith Jr. averaged 6.2 points and little else over 30 games with the Lakers. He was limited to mop-up duty in the playoffs and was just Pelinka’s latest miss.
The other two-way contracts last season were Drew Timme and Chris Manon, who combined to play 36 games with the Lakers. Kobe Bufkin was a disastrous February signing that didn’t work. Pelinka did the same last February with Alex Len. These issues date back years. The Lakers have struggled to find impact on two-way and minimum contracts since Pelinka took over in 2019.
The second apron era has made every dollar count. The draw of Los Angeles coupled with the Lakers' history gave them an edge in the minimum market for years. Players want to be part of the Lakers organization, but Pelinka has struggled to sign the right ones.
Nick Smith Jr. becomes Rob Pelinka’s latest signing to leave the NBA
Pelinka has made several disastrous moves as the Lakers’ lead decision-maker, and his two-way struggles are well-documented. They’ve signed 29 players to two-way deals in the Pelinka era, and most of them quickly went bust. Austin Reaves is the only one who became a standout for the Lakers. Scottie Pippen Jr., Jordan Goodwin, and Jay Huff became role players elsewhere, but Pelinka fumbled keeping them in LA.
Timme and Smith Jr. aren’t on NBA rosters as training camp approaches. Gabe Vincent remains a free agent after his disastrous stint with the Lakers. Pelinka finally traded him at the deadline, but the three-year deal was regrettable nearly the moment after it was signed. The Lakers' top exec has signed 20 players to their final NBA opportunity in eight seasons.
Pelinka’s love for score-first players has played a role in that. Most of these were bargain signings that didn’t work. Nobody is expecting Pelinka to hit a home run every time, but this has been far from an advantage for LA. There have been a lot more Nick Smith Jr. stories than Austin Reaves ones.
Rob Pelinka’s free agency woes make draft struggles worse
No team wants to exceed the second apron. It restricts roster-building, freezes a draft pick, and costs millions. The NBA created an effective hard cap, which makes every dollar count even more.
The Lakers' failures to find bargain contracts in free agency have made their draft woes worse. They benefited from Austin Reaves’ team-friendly contract for years, but he signed a max extension this summer. Pelinka made just two first-round draft picks in his first seven years in charge, and both have gone bust.
The Lakers striking out on minimums and not having rookie-scale contracts offering value has created financial issues. They are often limited by what in-season moves are possible. Los Angeles keeps trading draft capital away and missing on bargain contracts. That has limited their ceiling in this new era and will keep making things difficult for Rob Pelinka.
Lakers need a better eye for talent
The Lakers had hits on Scottie Pippen Jr., Jordan Goodwin, and Jay Huff, but they all got away before seriously producing in LA. They need to scout better and recognize when they have an impact player on their roster. Opportunity is required to benefit from a bargain contract. The Lakers don’t always offer that, even when they have uncovered a hidden gem.
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger need to expand the scouting department and lean more into winning on the margins. Rob Pelinka had eight years to prove he could do it. He has signed significantly more players who are forced to leave the NBA than those who have become impact players.
Pelinka has his strengths. He traded for Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis. Pelinka built the 2020 title roster and has proven he can land a marquee target. The general manager needs help finding role players that enhance the stars. That is why the Lakers need a fully stocked front office and others to cover for Pelinka’s weakness.
Nick Smith Jr. went overseas to continue his career with Real Madrid. He is just the latest former Laker to be unable to find an NBA contract after a rough stint in Los Angeles.
Rob Pelinka has struggled to give the Los Angeles Lakers an advantage on the margins, and it will only get worse unless the new owners do something about it. The proof is in the pudding. Pelinka needs help in finding bargain contracts.
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