Javonte Smart Reflects on Summer With Sixers
Following their win against the Atlanta Hawks, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Philadelphia 76ers were converting Javonte Smart's contract to a two-way deal, meaning that he'll have the opportunity to spend time in the NBA and the G-League.
Smith, who spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat in the 2021-22 season, was with the Sixers during the NBA's Summer League, as well as their preseason slate.
It was in the Summer League where Smart got to initially work with Philadelphia's head coach Nick Nurse, which according to what the 24-year-old told reporters on Monday, gave him an edge when it came to the preseason training.
"In the summer league we had Coach Nurse, so he was coaching us a little bit, so I kind of already knew how the offensive scheme and defensive scheme was," said Smart.
The former LSU guard went off in the Summer League, averaging 16 points and six assists per game, leading his team in the latter category, before cooling off in the preseason.
But the 24-year-old doesn't feel that it was entirely his performances on the court that helped the Sixers' front office reward him with the two-day deal, rather his work ethic and confidence.
"That I'm confident in myself, that I work hard, I'm always in the gym, that I can help on the team, I'm a point guard, a guy that can help his team," stated Smart.
With his contract being a two-way deal, Smart acknowledged that he'll be receiving plenty of time in the G-League, granted, he doesn't see it as a bad thing, rather a way for him to improve.
"It's another opportunity for me to get better, another opportunity for me to be on the court... I'm just looking forward to this year, just getting better, and being who I am."
Last season, Smart played for the Birmingham Squadron, the G-League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 14 points on 43-percent shooting.
