The New York Knicks have been making moves this summer after coming up short of making the NBA Finals last season. The Knicks are reportedly exploring a potential reunion with Dennis Smith Jr., who spent last season with Real Madrid in Spain.
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post, the Knicks are bringing in Smith for a workout this week. The former lottery pick is looking to return to the NBA after a one-year absence.
“The Knicks are bringing in a familiar point guard. Dennis Smith Jr. is working out for the Knicks this week, league sources told the Post. The former lottery pick hopes for an NBA return after playing last season at Real Madrid,” Bondy tweeted.
In addition to the Knicks, Smith also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. He had his best season in 2018 as a rookie in Dallas, averaging 15.2 points per game. He was traded to the Knicks during the 2018-19 season as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal.
Knicks Are Restricted By The Salary Cap
The New York Knicks signed veterans Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Matthews to non-guaranteed deals ahead of training camp. The Knicks can only keep one veteran for now since they are restricted by the salary cap rules, and they don’t want to move up to the second apron.
There are only 12 players on the current roster, plus the rookie Mohamed Diawara, who is expected to get signed to a standard contract, as per Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Diawara was the 50th overall pick of this year’s draft out of France. The Knicks also have a qualifying offer to Kevin McCullar Jr.
If the Knicks add Dennis Smith Jr., it will likely be a non-guaranteed contract as well. However, Smith didn’t have a fruitful stint at Real Madrid, averaging 2.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists in four games.
Knicks Open To Making Trades To Free Up Money
The New York Knicks will have to make some moves if they want to sign one or two of the three veterans they signed over the weekend. Ian Begley opined that Miles McBride is possibly off limits due to being an effective backup guard for the Knicks over the past two seasons.
“I’d be surprised if the Knicks made a move like that ahead of training camp. I’d assume that they let things play out in training camp/preseason before making decisions on final roster spots. It’s also worth pointing out that they have always held McBride in high regard and haven’t been receptive to any past trades involving the now 25-year-old,” Begley said.
Other names the Knicks could explore trading are Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, who had limited roles last season, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Dadiet played just 18 games as a rookie, while Kolek appeared in 41 games.
With the Eastern Conference wide open this upcoming season, there’s a chance the Knicks could prefer veterans such as Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet. Brogdon is a former NBA Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, while Shamet has been to the postseason six times despite being a journeyman.
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