2: Dennis Smith Jr.
Dennis Smith Jr. arrived in New York via Dallas as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade in 2019. He spent the rest of the 2018-19 season with the Knicks as well as the full 2019-20 season before being traded to the Pistons ahead of the 2021 deadline.
In New York, the guard averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in a total of 58 games while shooting 37.9% from the field and 28.4% from three. Smith dealt with a series of injuries while he was with the Knicks.
Ironically enough, Smith was dealt to Detroit in exchange for Derrick Rose, who was a key part of New York’s playoff push that season. Smith then spent time in Portland before landing with Charlotte in 2022-23, where he was able to revive his career by averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 assists in 54 games.
Now, Smith is back in the city, but across the river. On Saturday morning, Shams Charania reported that Smith and Brooklyn agreed to a one-year deal.
Free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Nets made Smith a priority in free agency as their first call, and he becomes their first addition of the summer.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
While it’s certainly nice to see Dennis Smith Jr. sign a deal in free agency, it just had to be with the Nets.