Knicks Welcome Back Dennis Smith Jr.

After nearly five years since his last stint with the team, Dennis Smith Jr. is back in New York this week, gearing up for an NBA comeback.

The 27-year-old point guard spent last season with Real Madrid in Spain but left the team due to an injury. It’s been a tough transition for him, moving from competitive play to a year largely spent recuperating.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are exploring options in free agency, particularly concerning frontcourt players like Alex Len and Trey Jemison III. Currently, they have 12 players on guaranteed contracts but can bring up to 21 to training camp.

The Knicks are tight on cap space, making it likely they need to trade a player to keep more veterans for the upcoming season. They’ve already secured at least three non-guaranteed contracts for training camp, featuring players such as Malcolm Brogdon, Laundry Chamette, and Garrison Matthews.

There’s a lot of speculation that the Knicks will need to make trades to manage their roster and free up space for potential additions.

As for Smith, he’s eager to contribute again. Before his experience overseas, he showcased his skills in the NBA for seven seasons. He’s perhaps best remembered for being part of a significant trade involving the Mavericks and Chris Porzingis back in 2019. Unfortunately, his time with the Knicks was marred by injuries and difficulty connecting with fans, highlighted by a moment when he was booed in favor of another player, Frank Ntilikina.

Things took a turn for Smith when he faced personal loss; his stepmother passed away shortly after the challenging crowd reactions. His confidence was clearly shaken. In 2020, he found himself out of the rotation and ultimately requested to play in the G-League before being traded to the Pistons in exchange for Derrick Rose.

Reflecting on his challenges, Smith mentioned, “A lot of that stuff is beyond my control. Fan response. My mother-in-law slipped the disc down my back. I’m just a random situation I can’t control.” He later noted how he bounced back while with the Hornets, emphasizing resilience: “What’s important to me is how I respond to it: take the punches and keep rolling.”

Having always been recognized for his athleticism, Smith has adapted his game to focus more on defense during his time with Charlotte and Brooklyn. Now, he’s aiming for another chance with the Knicks.