3 former Knicks thriving elsewhere to start 2022-23 season
1: Dennis Smith Jr.
Dennis Smith Jr. was a highly-touted prospect out of college, but in recent years, his career has taken a dip. However, the 24-year-old couldn’t be having a better start to the season with his home team. Smith recently admitted that he considered switching over to the NFL before he signed a one-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets in October.
Dennis Smith Jr was basically out of the league. Look at him now
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) October 30, 2022
To start the year, the guard’s averaging 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 29.5 minutes while shooting 46.4% from the floor and 35.7% from three. Smith has made Hornets fans feel a lot better about being without All-Star LaMelo Ball, who suffered a sprained ankle during the preseason. Even when Ball returns, Smith has proven that he deserves to be a regular face in Charlotte’s rotation.
In an overtime loss against New York on Oct. 26, Smith had 14 points (7-for-16), 11 assists, three rebounds, and two steals. The Hornets nearly knocked the Knicks off, but thanks to Jalen Brunson, that didn’t happen.
After leaving New York, Smith had stints in Detroit (20 games) and Portland (37 games), but maybe all the 2017 lottery pick needed was to return to his home state of North Carolina. A story like Smith’s should make all NBA fans happy, but Knicks fans should especially be happy to see their former guard succeeding to start the season.
