​As the Toronto Raptors gear up for an exciting new campaign, training camp invitations are beginning to hand out golden opportunities to players fighting for their professional lives. Among them is guard Malachi Smith, who has officially inked a training camp deal with the franchise in hopes of carving out a permanent home either in the NBA or down with the Raptors 905 in the G League.

​To get the inside track on what Raptors fans can expect from the newest camp body, Toronto Raptors On SI caught up with Colin Simmons, who covered Smith closely during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets last season. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of Smith’s game, his strengths, his flaws, and his realistic chances of making the cut in Toronto.

​1. How Did Smith Perform in Brooklyn?

​During a brief 15-game sample size with the Nets, Smith quietly outperformed low expectations. Playing amidst discombobulated lineups filled with young and unproven talent, Smith acted as one of the most trustworthy set of hands on the floor.

​He proved capable of initiating offense as a primary ball-handler or sliding off the ball to make smart reads. While athletic limitations capped his defensive ceiling, his offensive versatility stood out during a turbulent stretch.

​2. What Is Smith’s Biggest Strength?

​Smith’s greatest asset is a balanced, efficient scoring arsenal. During his time in Brooklyn, he showcased high-level shooting touch, knocking down 43.5 per cent of his three-point attempts on over three tries per game.

​Equipped with a stocky frame, he knows how to use his body to shield defenders, create separation, and finish tough looks in the paint—highlighted by a reliable floater. While he doesn’t possess an elite, ankle-breaking crossover handle, his craftiness allows him to get downhill against weaker defensive rotations.

​3. What Is Smith’s Biggest Weakness?

​The primary concerns with Smith lie on the defensive end of the floor. He struggles significantly as an off-ball defender, frequently getting caught ball-watching and losing track of his assignment.

​His tendency to be a step late in defensive rotations often creates open windows for opposing offenses. Furthermore, he lacks the lateral quickness and explosive recovery speed to lock down elite athletic guards on the perimeter, while offering very little activity in passing lanes or as a secondary rim protector.

​4. Player Comparison: Who Does He Play Like?

​From a stylistic standpoint, watching Smith operates very similarly to John Konchar during his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.

​Both players are backcourt operators who play bigger than their physical measurements and possess the IQ to do a little bit of everything. While Smith is a more polished outside shooter and secondary playmaker than Konchar, both share a common bottleneck: athletic limitations that prevent them from becoming elite defenders. However, much like Konchar carved out a reliable, service-level reserve role in the right system, Smith could theoretically follow a similar trajectory.

​5. Can Smith Make the Roster in Toronto?

​Despite his intriguing offensive skill set, Smith faces a steep, uphill battle to secure a standard roster spot with the Raptors.

​Toronto’s backcourt is already heavily congested. The combination of Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead forms one of the most dynamic young point guard rotations in the entire Eastern Conference, while rising talent Ja’Kobe Walter commands significant developmental minutes.

​Furthermore, approaching 27 years of age, Smith doesn’t necessarily fill a glaring, desperate roster need for a Raptors squad that is heavily stocked with versatile wings. That said, training camp will provide him with the ultimate audition to prove he belongs in the organization’s long-term pipeline!