It has been a tough start to the NBA for Zhaire Smith after being selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 16th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. The Philadelphia 76ers traded for him on draft night, but he then only played a grand total of 13 games in two seasons due to a variety of injuries.
The Sixers then shipped Smith to the Detroit Pistons in a November trade that netted them big man Tony Bradley. It seemed like it was a good match for Smith as the Pistons are looking at a rebuild and he would be able to get the necessary playing time to develop.
Unfortunately, Detroit waived Smith right away and he was left looking for a new opportunity. It appears that he has found that as he will sign with the Memphis Grizzlies and see what he can do with them.
Smith will wear jersey #16, and Boatwright will wear jersey #25 for the @memgrizz. https://t.co/mBVThh5NFv
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) December 15, 2020
The Grizzlies have done a good job in recent seasons developing young players and now they will look to do the same with Smith. It is now a fresh start for the 21-year old athlete out of Texas Tech. [lawrence-related id=40241,40218,40213]