we move closer to the project, agency freedom, and as business talks heat up, there is something worth noting about the Knicks situation: Dennis Smith Jr. still has significant support in the organization and there are people with the Knicks who would like to do it. see Smith Jr. having a legitimate chance to bounce back after an erratic 2019-20 season.
Smith has faced injuries and the death of a close relative over the course of last season. Earlier this summer, we looked at some of Smith’s season context in a mailbag.
Since then, the Knicks have hired Tom Thibodeau and have made a strong financial commitment to player development.
If Smith Jr. is on the roster early next season, it will be interesting to see how he fares with the new staff.
Smith Jr.’s athleticism is undeniable. The last offseason, the Knicks tried to work on his outside shot with him. The work did not produce tangible results in the field.
But Smith Jr. was one of the players who participated in individual and team volunteer training with Thibodeau and his staff this month.
Also, this may not be relevant for today, but Thibodeau was a huge fan of Smith Jr. exiting the project in 2017.
If Knick’s top decision makers are committed to providing a real opportunity for Smith Jr. this season, it could affect how they approach the off-season.
Of course, Smith Jr. wouldn’t be off limits on any trade, but the Knicks may be less willing to include him in a trade. Or they might be less inclined to sign another guard into free agency if they want to give Smith Jr. a regular role in 2021.