Brooklyn Nets Reward Malachi Smith with Second 10-Day Contract After Impressive G League Call-Up Performance

Malachi Smith's perseverance through the challenging G League development system has yielded another opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets, who announced Wednesday they have signed the 26-year-old guard to a second 10-day contract following an impressive initial trial period.

Smith's retention demonstrates the Nets' confidence in his ability to contribute meaningful minutes during a season marked by roster instability and ongoing rotation experiments. His first 10-day contract, signed March 14, produced statistical results that exceeded expectations for a player making the transition from developmental basketball to NBA competition.

Across six games during his initial stint, Smith averaged 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while logging 19.6 minutes per contest. Perhaps most impressively, he maintained exceptional shooting efficiency with 50.0% accuracy from both the field and beyond the three-point line, demonstrating the offensive reliability that initially attracted Brooklyn's attention.

The pinnacle of Smith's early NBA performance came March 22 against the Sacramento Kings, where he delivered career-highs across multiple categories. His 18 points, accompanied by two rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 29 minutes of action, showcased the complete skill set that has sustained his professional basketball journey through multiple organizational stops.

Head coach Jordi Fernández emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence without overthinking the opportunity. Yeah, I don't want him to overthink it, Fernández stated. He knows enough of what we're trying to do. He's a great, great guy. He's been in the system, very good teammate, played really hard, played the right way.

Fernández specifically praised Smith's contribution to team chemistry during challenging competitive situations. The coach referenced a particular performance where the team overcame a 28-point deficit to take the lead, highlighting the connectivity and competitive spirit that Smith helped foster among his teammates.

Smith's path to this second opportunity exemplifies the grinding nature of G League development basketball. He joined the Nets from their Long Island affiliate, where he appeared in 39 games across the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season, including 18 starts that demonstrated his readiness for expanded responsibilities.

His Long Island statistics reflected consistent production with 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 28.7 minutes per game, numbers that positioned him prominently among candidates for midseason NBA call-ups. This performance level validated the developmental approach that has characterized his professional journey.

The success of Smith's promotion reflects positively on Long Island head coach Mfon Udofia's player development system. Udofia has now guided three players to NBA call-ups this season, including Smith and Grant Nelson with Brooklyn, plus Jeenathan Williams, who secured a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors.

Before finding stability with Long Island, Smith navigated multiple G League stops that tested his persistence and adaptability. His recent seasons included stints with the Rip City Remix in 2023-24, the Wisconsin Herd in 2024, and the Memphis Hustle in 2024-25, demonstrating the nomadic reality facing many developmental players.

Smith's collegiate career provided the foundation for his professional pursuits, concluding at Gonzaga where he earned West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year honors following the 2023 season. His undrafted status necessitated the G League pathway that has now yielded NBA opportunities.

Prior to Gonzaga, Smith established himself as a standout performer at Tennessee Chattanooga, earning Southern Conference Player of the Year recognition as a junior during the 2021-22 campaign. His earlier college experience included two seasons at Wright State beginning in 2018-19, where he earned Horizon League All-Freshman Team honors.

For Brooklyn, Smith's second 10-day contract represents a low-risk investment with significant upside potential. His demonstrated ability to defend with intensity while providing reliable ballhandling addresses specific roster needs during a season characterized by frequent lineup adjustments due to injuries and strategic experimentation.

The first contract successfully introduced Smith to NBA competition and teammate relationships. His second opportunity provides the platform to potentially establish a longer-term role within the organization, representing the type of developmental success story that validates both player persistence and organizational scouting capabilities.

Smith's journey from undrafted prospect to multiple NBA contracts illustrates the importance of sustained excellence at the developmental level while maintaining readiness for unexpected opportunities when they arise.