he began 2016–17 by scoring luton's third goal in second half stoppage time on the opening day of the season in a 3–0 win away to plymouth argyle, having entered the match as an 88th-minute substitute. having predominantly played as a substitute early in the season, manager nathan jones said "i told him to be patient, because he's a key member of our squad". on his second start of the season, smith scored luton's second goal in a 2–1 win away to gillingham in the efl trophy on 30 august 2016. after making one start in luton's opening 22 league matches, smith forced his way into the first-team at the turn of the year, starting 11 of the next 15 league matches, before losing his place in the team for the final nine league matches of the season. he was an unused substitute in both legs of the play-off semi-final defeat to blackpool, losing 6–5 on aggregate, and finished the season with 35 appearances and two goals. after the end of the season, smith was transfer listed by luton.