At this stage in his career, Russ Smith, at best, is an up-and-down, work-in-progress sort of guy. After some reflection, he has figured that out and that next year would be better spent playing and getting better rather than sitting on an NBA bench or, worse, spending a year or two in the NBDL.
No one doubts his talent, only his mercurial game. It's too bad we won't see him in the ACC, but perhaps we'll see him again in the tournament.