The Hornets signed Dennis Smith Jr. this afternoon to add depth at the guard position – an area they clearly needed it heading into the season. Smith is a former number nine pick in the 2017 draft and for his career has averaged 10.7 points per game and 4.2 assists.
Most of Smith Jr’s production came earlier in his career in Dallas before Luka Doncic was drafted. Smith was on the NBA All-Rookie team in 2018, after averaging 15 points and 5 assists, however, after being traded to the Knicks he has struggled to find his way with limited action in Detroit and Portland.
The signing is low risk and has a potentially high reward, as his contract is non guaranteed. At 6’2, Smith will bring athleticism, but he will also have to show his outside shooting has improved – as he only shot 22% last year from three in limited action and is a career 31% shooter from behind the arc.
Smith Jr. knows that this may be his last opportunity to stay in the league and should have something to prove.