The NBA offseason might be approaching an end, but the New York Knicks are not done with polishing their roster. They are also said to be getting back to an old favorite, Dennis Smith Jr., who used to be a lottery pick.
Smith is due to train with the Knicks in the days that lie ahead, according to an old insider, Stefan Bondy. Although there is no assurance that this opportunity will result in this contract, it is a significant opportunity that Smith can restart his NBA career. As Bondy wrote: The Knicks are acquiring an old point guard. Dennis Smith Jr. will be training with the Knicks this week, sources in the league said. The former lottery selection is hoping to come back to the NBA after playing with Real Madrid last year.
Between Rising Star and Journeyman.
Smith was one player who joined the league with lofty expectations in 2017. Taken by the Dallas Mavericks in the top 10, it did not take long before he made his name felt, whereby he participated in 69 games as a rookie and averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds during close to 30 minutes in a game. His productivity was wanting, but the uncultured ability and physical prowess promised a future mainstay.
However, his course changed soon. A third of the way into his second season, Smith was traded to New York in the blockbuster that dispatched Kristaps Porziņģis to Dallas. He was then regarded as part of the rebuild of the Knicks, and he came in together with veteran players De’Andre Jordan and Wesley Matthews, as well as several first-round selections.
Unluckily, his stay in New York was rough. His position further reduced the next year, with only 34 appearances in 201920 after featuring in only 21 games after the trade. The following season, he had hardly been in the rotation and had played three games before he was traded to Detroit to take the place of popular Derrick Rose.
Searching for Stability
That is where the career of Smith started, leading a crooked path. He had brief tenures with the Pistons, Trail Blazers, and the Hornets, with bursts of productivity and no stability. His last NBA appearance was with the Brooklyn Nets in 20232,4, where he had averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game as a consistent part of the rotation.
Smith played overseas last winter, joining Real Madrid in the Liga ACB and EuroLeague in Spain. However, the business venture collapsed in February, and the 27-year-old has been seeking his next deal since then.
Why the Knicks Make Sense
The Knicks are now opening the door. To Smith, the workout is an opportunity to demonstrate that he still has the tools of the NBA, especially his defensive instincts, speed, and the ability to jump-start the tempo. In the case of the Knicks, it is a low-reward, high-reward decision: a mere workout without any obligations, but there is a chance of bringing in some veteran guard who is familiar with the organization and who might give some energy when off the bench.
My Take
This has been interesting to both parties. To Smith, it is the most real chance to get back to playing in the NBA he has had in years, and with age (at 27), there can still be a second act. His physical ability and defense are also useful, provided that he can demonstrate consistency.
In the case of the Knicks, the time is rational. It is always nice to have depth in the backcourt, and should Smith demonstrate that he has perfected his game, he can fit in as a versatile backup with low financial cost.
However, in the end, this is not a story of a reunion that is inevitable, but more of a story of persistence. The career path of Dennis Smith Jr. has not had the turnout that many were expecting, but the interest of the Knicks proves that the league still has some potential. This workout will get him a roster spot or not, but a sign of his resilience either way; it is an example that there is always a comeback story to be followed in the NBA.
