Dennis Smith Jr. is eyeing a return to the NBA. According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, Smith Jr. left Real Madrid after just one month with the Spanish Club to join an NBA team.
Smith Jr. spent seven seasons in the NBA with six teams from 2017-2024. However, the No. 9 overall selection in the class of 2017 didn’t garner any interest this summer after spending the 2023-24 campaign in Brooklyn, where he averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals. He produced three double-doubles while shooting 43.5/29.4/74.1 with the Nets.
Milwaukee Bucks Need To Improve Backcourt, Interest In 2017 Lottery Pick?
Smith entered the G-League player pool in December, looking to join the Austin Spurs, per Sam Amico of Hoops Wire. But the Milwaukee Bucks threw a wrench into those plans as their G-League affiliate, Wisconsin Herd, claimed the 27-year-old. Smith never played a game for the Herd option to sign an end-of-the-season contract with Real Madrid.
Smith inked a deal with Real Madrid in mid-January, though the 6-3 point guard appeared in just four games and didn’t adapt well, according to Ramon Alvarez de Mon of Radio Marca.
“Although the club was satisfied with his attitude, his physical shape wasn’t up to par,” Alvarez de Mon said. “He made only two EuroLeague appearances and wasn’t even included on the team’s roster during the recent Spanish Copa del Rey tournament.”
Smith compiled 11 points on 4-13 shooting (30.8%) and 1-of-6 (16.6%) from beyond the arc over 36 total minutes in his appearances for Real. He grabbed four rebounds, doled out three assists, and committed three turnovers.
Who Could Be Interested in Dennis Smith Jr?
While it is not good news that Smith Jr. wasn’t in tip-top shape with Real, he is still a talented playmaker. As a result, several teams should use a player of his caliber down the stretch.
The athletic Smith is a high-volume scorer who is not a good shooter or great ball-handler. Over the past two seasons, Smith has improved as a finisher and distributor. Defensively, Smith gets after on that end and is an elite on the ball-defender.
Smith is also highly experienced, with 326 NBA games under his belt. He has a career average of 9.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 4o.7/ 29.8/ 67.4. Additionally, he has a career 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
With teams able to adjust their rosters through March 4 or the beginning of next month to qualify for the playoffs, there is still plenty of time for Smith to sign with a club. Golden State, Cleveland, Sacramento, Boston, Milwaukee, and Minnesota all have open roster spots and make sense.
Possible Landing Spots
The Warriors have only 12 players on standard contracts as recently signed Kevin Knox and Yuri Collins inked 10-day contracts. The Cavaliers had two open roster spots a few days ago, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Javonte Green will join the Cavs after getting bought by New Orleans. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also said that Cavs would sign Na’Quan Tomlin to a 10-day contract as Dean Wade, who will miss his 12th straight contest on Thursday, is still dealing a knee injury while Isaac Okoro is questionable.
With the signing of Green, Cleveland’s need to add a backup point guard is less acute. However, Smith could still be an insurance policy, and Green can play 1 through 4. Ty Jerome can also play the one, though they really haven’t had a true reserve lead guard since Ricky Rubio left.
Minnesota is also a possibility with Mike Conley struggling, though Donte DiVincenzo could return from his toe injury soon. The Wolves have an open roster spot. However, depending on the injury status of Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, they may decide to add another frontcourt player instead.
Boston is not desperate to add another player after bringing in Torrey Craig, but Jrue Holiday has recently been bothered by an injury. So, if the Celtics have any concerns with him going forward, they could bring Smith aboard.
Milwaukee Bucks
That leaves Milwaukee. Milwaukee’s G-League franchise, owned and operated by Milwaukee, expectedly claimed Smith earlier this year. So, the Bucks must have had some interest in him.
The Bucks (29-24) have struggled this year due to various injuries; Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo have a combined 21 absences. More significantly, the Bucks backcourt ended the first half playing poorly and rank in the bottom one-third of the league overall. The Bucks’ backcourt is 18th in scoring and 17th in assists. They are also allowing the eighth most points to opposing backcourts.
Lillard has increased his production and efficiency over last season, but the 34-year-old is terrible defensively. Andre Jackson Jr. hasn’t provided much offensively and has struggled a bit defensively in the previous two years, though he has been better this season, except on the perimeter.
The Rest of the Bucks backcourt
Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green have played decently well off the bench. But both are stand-still shooters and don’t do much else. Neither player is a good defender. Ryan Rollins has been okay but is on a two-way contract. Pat Connaughton has been a disaster.
The Bucks recently acquired Kevin Porter Jr. to replace Delon Wright, who was traded to New York, as the backup point guard. Porter Jr. may end up being the answer for the Bucks, as he is a better shooter and just as good a playmaker as Smith. Defensively, Porter Jr. is not as tenacious, though he does a good job on the perimeter.
However, there is no point in Milwaukee not exploring the possibility of signing Smith. Porter Jr. can play multiple positions, and a decision on Rollins is likely forthcoming since he has already played 37 games (44 active) with the Bucks.
Granted, Milwaukee may want to use that open spot to add more depth to the frontcourt since Bobby Porter Jr. is suspended for 25 games. Portis was suspended for taking a banned substance.
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