Point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the ninth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, is one of many individuals on the New York Knicks playing on a rookie deal. The Knicks acquired Smith as part of their return on Kristaps Porzingis from the Mavericks in January 2019.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, the president and head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in June 2017, was “enamored” with Smith coming out of college.
“Something worth noting on the workouts: Thibodeau and others with the Timberwolves at the time were enamored with Dennis Smith Jr.