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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
Smith might be phasing into a third point guard role at this point of his career, rather than being a backup. His size makes it tough for him to defend, and it also limits his ability to play with other point guards, although Scott Brooks has chosen to play him with Russell Westbrook a fair amount this season.
Smith has never been much of a scorer, but he can get to the rim well, has a decent-enough outside shot, and is a solid facilitator. Smith has had very little playoff experience in his career, but I think he would struggle to get real minutes if he were on a playoff team due to his lack of scoring ability. Teams would be willing to go under all screens and help off him when he's spotting up. As Smith ages into his mid-30's, losing some quickness could really hurt his ability to get in the lane and make plays on offense.
Cap Considerations
Smith will be an unrestricted free agent with a $7.8 million cap hold and Early Bird rights. Since the Wizards will most likely be operating over the salary cap, they will retain Smith's Early Bird rights until he is re-signed or signs elsewhere. The Wizards could offer Smith a starting salary of up to $10.5 million using the Early Bird exception, which is more than enough should they wish to bring him back.
Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Smith as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. There's also a chance that Smith ends up settling for the minimum.
Potential Teams: Wizards, Warriors, Knicks, Hawks, Pelicans
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $2.6 million ($1.7 million cap hit) with the Wizards
Actual Contract: 2-year, $9.2 million (2nd year non-guaranteed) with the Hornets
I thought Smith might have to settle for the minimum, but he was able to get a bit more than that from Charlotte, who used most of their Room MLE on him.
Last updated: 8/19/2021
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