The New York Knicks are willing to give Dennis Smith Jr. a legit chance to prove himself the upcoming season, per Ian Begley of SNY.
The talented point guard was unable to make impact last season, due to injuries and the death of a close family member.
Smith Jr. is entering the last year of his rookie scale contract being part of the blockbuster Kristaps Porzingis trade to the Dallas Mavericks back in 2018.
“As we get closer to the draft, free agency and as trade talks heat up, there’s something worth noting about the Knicks’ point guard situation: Dennis Smith Jr. still has significant support in the organization and there are people with the Knicks would like to see Smith Jr. get a legitimate chance to bounce back after an uneven 2019-20 season,” Begley wrote.
In his 55 appearances with the Knicks, Smith Jr. averaged 9.0 points and 3.9 assists, shooting 38.3 percent from the field, 29.2 percent from beyond the arc and 54.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The Knicks are in a continuous rebuilding mode in the last seven seasons. The franchise had its last winning season back in 2013, where they made the playoffs.