November 30: The Bucks have officially signed Smart to a two-way contract and requested waivers on Robinson, the team announced in a press release.
November 29: The Bucks intend to sign guard Javonte Smart to a two-way contract and will waive Justin Robinson to create an opening on their 17-man roster, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Smart, who went undrafted earlier this year, averaged 16.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, and 3.7 RPG as a junior for LSU in 2020/21. The 6’4″ guard posted an impressive shooting line of .460/.402/.857 in 28 games (35.6 MPG), earning All-SEC Second Team honors.
The Heat signed Smart to a training camp contract and made him an affiliate player for the Sioux Falls Skyforce after he was waived during the preseason. He has played well at the G League level so far, putting up 22.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 3.6 APG on .488/.396/.917 shooting in his first five games (35.1 MPG) for the Skyforce.
Robinson had already appeared in 17 games for the Bucks this season while on his two-way contract, but wasn’t especially effective in his limited role. The 6’1″ guard averaged 2.8 PPG and 1.2 APG on .316/.270/1.000 shooting in 11.6 minutes per contest.
The Bucks are making a handful of tweaks to their roster this week. They’ve also reached an agreement to sign DeMarcus Cousins to a standard, non-guaranteed contract. He’ll fill the open spot on their 15-man roster.
There’s now 2 guys in the league named Javonte. Crazy.
How is that crazy. It’s 2021 big dog
It would be similar to 2 guys in the league named Nikola in 1990…
Damn…Heat losing essentially every young guy they brought into summer league/training camp. Could have easily had the roster spot(s) available if they did a couple of different things. Frustrating situation b/c they had multiple guys that are useful rosterable players.
Javonte Smart is a guy I compared to Dion Waiters, and Kendrick Nunn.
Waiters is out of the league and Nunn hasn’t done anything in LA. I don’t think it’s the end of the world.
Not saying it’s the end of the world, but this roster could use the backup scoring guard for their depth, among other possibilities. Waiters is out of the league b/c of perception. He can still get into the paint at will. Not many teams need scoring guards, but there are spots still out there. Nunn has been injured, although his spot is also dependent on what else they put around him, and their rotation decisions, as well as their final roster spots were poor choices
Robinson was a bricklayer hope Smart can hit an open 3.
He is a scoring combo guard that has some questions with shot selection, but his defense is improving, and his decision making as well, and he can playmake.