With the 9th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected North Carolina State point guard, Dennis Smith Jr. There were high hopes for Smith as an explosive athlete that could play above the rim.
His first season with the Mavericks went well. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 29.7 minutes per game. Smith started all 69 games that he appeared in and was selected for the All-Rookie Second Team following the season. But, things quickly went south after that.
In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Mavericks pulled off a trade to land international superstar, Luka Doncic. He took over the ball-handling duties from Smith, but his efficiency was improving. Smith was taking strides with his shooting, upping his percentages to 44 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from the 3-point line.
Ultimately, Smith was part of the trade package to the New York Knicks in exchange for Kristaps Pozingis. Desperate for a point guard, New York was hopeful they could correct the mistake of passing on Smith in 2017.
Smith was handed the reins to the offense and did relatively well, averaging 14.7 points, 5.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in 21 appearances, 18 starts. But, the rejuvenation was short-lived.
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The NC State product struggled to stay healthy during the 2019-20 season, playing only 34 games. When he was healthy he didn’t produce much, averaging 5.5 points on an ugly 34.1 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from the 3-point line, adding 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds.
The Knicks traded him and a future second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons during the 2020-21 season for Derrick Rose. He showed a little something with the Pistons, averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 20 games.
But, Detroit recently renounced their rights to Smith, making him a free agent. Where could he end up next? Here are three teams who should consider giving him a shot this season.
