Eric Musselman believes Nick Smith is entering a 'great situation' with Charlotte Hornets
Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman is willing to do whatever it takes to help Nick Smith Jr. succeed in the NBA. The 58-year-old coach discussed who he’s already spoken to at Smith’s new home.
Getting to know the new family
“He is stepping into a great situation. [Charlotte Hornets general manager] Mitch Kupchak and I had had a couple of different conversations and we texted since the draft has happened. Buzz Peterson, who’s an executive, we talked actually probably not long after they they picked him on draft night. We talked on the phone. Friday morning after the draft, Coach Clifford and I had a long, extended conversation,” Musselman said.
The Hornets drafted Smith after he slipped to the No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Many mock drafts had Smith going as early as No. 20. Although draft night was emotional for Smith, Musselman believes the Arkansas standout ended up right where he belonged.
Smith averaged 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 37.6% from the floor and 33.8% from beyond the arc in his lone season as a Razorback. The 6-foot-5 guard was a five-star recruit out of Sherwood (Ark.) North Little Rock, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Nick Smith is in the right place
The Hornets are evidently thrilled to be adding such immense talent to their roster.
“They’re overly excited about Nick and ,with all the incoming NBA rookies, they’re all on a level playing field from here on out,” Musselman said. “Nick is highly highly motivated to, one, start practice for summer league and, then, to to play summer league basketball.”
Most experts predict the reason Smith’s draft stock dropped was due to his scarce experience at the collegiate level. Smith only played in 17 games at Arkansas after suffering an early injury to his right knee.
Yet, perhaps everything happens for a reason. Smith will join No. 2 pick Brandon Miller as the Hornets first-round rookies. The two are already familiar with each other, playing as AAU teammates for Brad Beal Elite in high school.
No matter where Smith was picked, Musselman insists where Smith goes from here is what matters. And he has a chance to write his own story.
“You get married. Wedding night is awesome. But then, how do you deal with your marriage going forward, you know?” Musselman said. “Nick’s excited. I think he’s in a great spot.”