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New York Knicks: Is Dennis Smith Jr. officially outside of the mix?

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 29, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 29, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dennis Smith Jr. had a “DNP-CD” slapped on his name for the New York Knicks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets, marking the second consecutive instance of this.

10 weeks ago, Dennis Smith Jr. was in a starting competition to become the first point guard for the New York Knicks. He battled Elfrid Payton, with Frank Ntilikina receiving sprinkled-in opportunities along the way.

Smith Jr. did not receive any receive through the first quarter of the season, part of which he missed due to a family member’s passing. Struggles at both ends of the court were apparent, from defensive lapses to missing east baskets. Still, ex-head coach David Fizdale committed to using the third-year man.

However, Mike Miller‘s insertion as the interim coach has changed the point guard outlook, featuring Payton’s return from injury and rise to Knicks prominence. Smith Jr. had a chance to impress, but his leash was short, given how quickly Miller yanked him from the Dec. 6 game against Indiana.

An illness kept the North Carolina State product out for one game afterward, but that window of opportunity was capitalized on by Payton, who had 14 points, four rebounds and five assists in a streak-snapping win over the Golden State Warriors. That became his “in” for playing time under Miller, while Ntilikina remained effective with high basketball IQ and stellar defense.

Smith Jr. was listed as “probable” for Friday’s game against Sacramento, which did not fully warrant a “DNP-CD” next to his name. Again, though, the Knicks won, with Payton’s 16 points, four rebounds and four assists driving the offense.

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Jump to Sunday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, and the story remained the same: Payton’s work at point guard geared the Knicks towards a comeback, while Ntilikina had his own productive night. Smith Jr., meanwhile, did not play. The closest pre-game update on Smith Jr. was, per Marc Berman of the New York Post, a potential usage due to Denver’s abundance of guards. He is seemingly, unofficially, on the outside of the mix.

Payton and Ntilikina won’t surrender their spots anytime soon with combined numbers of 23 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists on 9-for-20 shooting. They have the defensive intangibles and do plenty at point guard to steer the offense, and it’s superior to the shot-first Smith Jr. That, basically, leaves a gaping hole for him to escape and return to the rotation.

It’s an unremarkable development for the last player remaining from the Kristaps Porzingis trade. So far, the Knicks have him, questionable transactions from the freed cap space and two future first-round picks to show for. Each game Smith Jr. sits out only dampens this deal’s impact.

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There’s little upside right now for the New York Knicks’ third-string point guard. Perhaps he’s the player to leave during “trade season,” with another change of scenery needed at this point.

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