The Memphis Grizzlies will take a flyer on 21-year-old former first-round pick Zhaire Smith, the team has announced. Smith was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Detroit Pistons last month and was ultimately released.
By signing and waiving Smith, they’ll retain his G League rights.
While Smith has seen just 13 games of NBA action over the course of his first two years in the league, he’s a sharpshooting guard with untapped potential. Smith shot .376 for Philly’s G League affiliate last season.
Smith will join a Grizzlies franchise with no shortage of young talent, a team that’s not afraid to utilize their G League squad for developmental reasons.
While the 2020-21 G League campaign is up in the air, the Memphis Hustle are among those that have expressed a desire to play in a G League bubble.
The club waived Marko Guduric in order to facilitate the signings of Smith and fellow free agent signee Bennie Boatwright.
