New York Knicks: Evaluating the point guard rotation

Knicks point guard rotation: Dennis Smith Jr.

Perhaps the only player Knicks fans are more down on than Elfrid Payton is Dennis Smith Jr. After a disastrous 2019-20 campaign, the former lottery pick will look to rebound under a new head coach in Tom Thibodeau.

Everyone knows Smith Jr. has the potential to be a microwave scorer, but can he do more than that? Is he simply a bench player who can provide you with instant offense when the mood strikes?

To be determined.

SNY reported earlier in the summer that Thibodeau liked Smith Jr.’s game coming out of college. Some believe with the right coaching, he could become a breakout candidate for the Knicks. And it’s now or never. The best case scenario might be that he starts the season strong and gives Leon Rose some value to offer teams in trade.

You could argue Smith Jr. is the only other lead guard on the depth chart besides Elfrid Payton. For that reason, he will get a chance, perhaps a starting one.

After beginning his NBA career as more of a combo guard, he hasn’t played much off the ball over the past two seasons. He is the prototypical example of a player who needs the ball in his hands to be himself. I expect Thibodeau to embrace that role for him and try to put him into situations where he can be successful.